Optometrist Salary in Florence, SC: $124,916 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Florence, SC earns a median $124,916/year (≈ $60.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Florence's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $136,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 reaches $124,916, reflecting a competitive position within the state. This salary range spans from $72,452 at the 10th percentile to $175,143 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the various stages of career advancement and practice types available. The estimates derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to local economic factors like the area’s cost of living. As optometrist pay in Florence SC remains approximately 11.16% below the national median of $140,612, practitioners may find opportunities for growth tied to the expanding scope of practice, which now includes glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,452 | $34.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,943 | $50.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,916 | $60.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,710 | $70.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,143 | $84.20 |
Median Salary Position
11.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,691 (2026 est.). At $124,916, the local median is 11.16% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be above the median
How Florence Optometrist Pay Compares
Florence median: $124,916/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,647 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -11.16% less |
Optometrists in Florence, SC earn a median of $124,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.16% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% below the South Carolina state average of $128,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence 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.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $124,916 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $136,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$102,385
2025 BLS Actual
$121,325
2026 Current Est.
$124,916
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,872 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,425 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,381 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,916 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,614 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $102,385 (2019) to $121,325 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,614 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,229 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $72,452 – $104,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,943 – $124,916 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,916 – $146,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,710 – $175,143 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Florence
The job market for optometrists in Florence includes nine established professionals currently practicing in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, living expenses are below the national average, potentially enhancing take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Optometrists in this region may find better compensation opportunities in private optometry practices or ophthalmology practices that adopt an OD/MD model, both of which can leverage surgical referral revenue. Factors such as ownership equity, the level of residency training in ocular disease, and the employment conditions of previously private practices acquired by private equity firms can influence the salary spectrum. To maximize pay, optometrists should consider advancing their qualifications through residency programs while actively seeking positions in practices that offer more lucrative referral revenue opportunities.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Florence?
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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 $121,325 for optometristsin the Florence 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 Florence 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