Optometrist Salary in Columbia, SC: $160,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Columbia, SC earns a median $160,978/year (≈ $77.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $171,871 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.1% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the expectation for optometrists in 2026 includes a competitive median annual salary of $160,978, significantly exceeding the national average by approximately 14.48%. With salaries ranging from $50,481 at the 10th percentile to $172,582 at the 90th percentile, the financial potential for optometrists varies widely based on their employment setting. Choices between owning a practice, working as an employed associate, or aligning with a retail chain shape these income disparities. This BLS-derived data reflects the evolving dynamics of the local job market, which has seen increased stability and growth opportunities for eye care professionals in recent years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,481 | $24.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,741 | $38.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $160,978 | $77.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,350 | $80.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,582 | $82.98 |
Median Salary Position
14.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,101 (2026 est.). At $160,978, the local median is 14.48% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Columbia Optometrist Pay Compares
Columbia median: $160,978/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,679 | +25.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +14.48% more |
Optometrists in Columbia, SC earn a median of $160,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.48% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 25.10% above the South Carolina state average of $128,679.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $160,978 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $171,871 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$103,540
2025 BLS Actual
$156,350
2026 Current Est.
$160,978
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $135,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $143,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $160,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $165,743 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 51.0% from $103,540 (2019) to $156,350 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $165,743 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,203 (60.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $50,481 – $80,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,741 – $160,978 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $160,978 – $168,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,350 – $172,582 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Columbia
In analyzing the local job market, Columbia employs around 90 optometrists, contributing to a substantive presence in the community. The cost of living index stands at 93.662, suggesting that take-home pay allows for a comfortable lifestyle relative to other regions. Employers that typically pay the most in this area include private optometry practices, particularly those that have managed to maintain autonomy despite acquisitions by private equity firms. The range in optometrist pay in Columbia SC is also influenced by factors such as practice ownership, the OD/MD model where optometrists work alongside ophthalmologists, and the level of residency training, especially in ocular disease. Those looking to maximize their earnings should consider specializing, seeking out roles in affluent neighborhoods, or securing positions with organizations that offer competitive benefits and growth potential.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Columbia, SC in 2026?
Is Columbia, SC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Columbia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Columbia?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Columbia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $156,350 for optometristsin the Columbia 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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