Optometrist Salary in Clemson, SC: $118,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Clemson, SC earns a median $118,479/year (≈ $56.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Clemson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $129,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Clemson, South Carolina, can expect a median salary of $118,479, which trails the national median of $140,612 by approximately 15.74%. Salary ranges for this role vary significantly, with the lower tenth percentile earning around $69,978 and high earners in the top percentile reaching up to $167,378. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect the local employment landscape, where an optometrist may choose between practice ownership, being an employed associate, or working within retail chains. Each of these structural choices impacts potential earnings, allowing practitioners to align their work environment with their career goals and lifestyle preferences.
About the Clemson Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,978 | $33.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,990 | $47.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,479 | $56.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,940 | $67.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $167,378 | $80.47 |
Median Salary Position
15.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clemson
In Clemson, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $97,400 (2026 est.). At $118,479, the local median is 15.74% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clemson: You'd be above the median
How Clemson Optometrist Pay Compares
Clemson median: $118,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clemson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,642 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -15.74% less |
Optometrists in Clemson, SC earn a median of $118,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.74% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.90% below the South Carolina state average of $128,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clemson has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clemson, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $118,479 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $129,485 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,109
2025 BLS Actual
$115,073
2026 Current Est.
$118,479
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Clemson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,109 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,468 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,796 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $121,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clemson metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $97,109 (2019) to $115,073 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $121,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,877 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clemson metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,978 – $97,990 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,990 – $118,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,479 – $140,940 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,940 – $167,378 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Clemson
The local job market supports six optometrists, indicating a specialized demand for eye care in the area, yet competition for higher salaries remains evident. Clemson's cost of living index stands at 91.5, which is below the national average, giving professionals an enhanced purchasing power relative to their earnings. Practices that may pay the highest in this market include private optometry offices as well as ophthalmology settings that integrate both optometrists and ophthalmologists. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings among optometrists encompass practice ownership equity, referral revenue sharing in OD/MD collaborations, and the presence of retail chains versus private practices. To maximize pay, prospective optometrists in Clemson might consider pursuing residency programs that allow specialization in areas such as ocular disease or collaborating with ophthalmologists, which can enhance their earning potential significantly in a market keen on quality eye care.
More salary data for Clemson, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Clemson, SC in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Clemson?
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $115,073 for optometristsin the Clemson metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clemson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov