Optometrist Salary in Easley, SC: $119,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Easley, SC earns a median $119,359/year (≈ $57.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Easley's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $130,447 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Easley, South Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $119,359 in 2026, which represents a notable contrast to the national median of $140,612. With a salary range spanning from $72,496 at the 10th percentile to $166,162 at the 90th percentile, optometrists can experience a diverse scale of earning potential within the local market. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional price differentials, positioning Easley’s optometrist pay in a competitive light relative to state and national norms. The growing trend of surgical co-management, particularly through OD/MD collaborative practices, further enhances revenue opportunities for optometrists in Easley, making it an enticing locale for those entering the field.
About the Easley Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,496 | $34.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,794 | $47.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $119,359 | $57.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,465 | $67.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,162 | $79.89 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Easley
In Easley, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $93,666 (2026 est.). At $119,359, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Easley: You'd be above the median
How Easley Optometrist Pay Compares
Easley median: $119,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Easley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,620 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -15.11% less |
Optometrists in Easley, SC earn a median of $119,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.20% below the South Carolina state average of $128,620.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Easley 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.
Easley, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $119,359 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,447 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% 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
$97,830
2025 BLS Actual
$115,928
2026 Current Est.
$119,359
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Easley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $111,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $115,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,893 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Easley metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $97,830 (2019) to $115,928 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,063 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Easley 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) | $72,496 – $99,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,794 – $119,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $119,359 – $140,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,465 – $166,162 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Easley
Analyzing the local job market, Easley currently employs four optometrists, reflecting a relatively modest demand within this specific region. With a cost-of-living index at 91.5, practitioners may find that their take-home earnings afford a comfortable lifestyle, albeit lower compared to more urban settings. Among local employers, ophthalmology practices that utilize the OD/MD model often provide the highest compensation, due to shared surgical referral revenue. The breadth of optometrist salary in Easley reflects multiple factors, including practice ownership equity and residency training offerings, particularly in specialties such as ocular disease. New graduates and established practitioners alike may maximize their pay by considering employment with OD/MD partnerships or those private practices that have retained independent status amidst a trend of consolidation among retail optical chains and private equity acquisitions. Understanding these dynamics can greatly influence how much do optometrists make in Easley and guide aspiring ODs in their career decisions.
More salary data for Easley, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Easley, SC in 2026?
Is Easley, SC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Easley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Easley?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Easley?
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 $115,928 for optometristsin the Easley 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 Easley 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