Optometrist Salary in Greenville, SC: $153,802 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Greenville, SC earns a median $153,802/year (≈ $73.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $164,917 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.5% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greenville, South Carolina, optometrists are positioned to earn a median annual salary of $153,802 in 2026, exceeding the national average of $140,612 by 9.38%. The projected salary range for this profession in the area spans from $45,786 at the tenth percentile to $173,920 at the ninetieth percentile, highlighting the potential for significant income variation based on experience, practice setting, and specific job functions. This data derives from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment statistics, which reflect the robust market conditions for optometrists in the region. With an expanding scope of practice and surgical co-management opportunities with ophthalmology, those entering this field in Greenville can anticipate strong compensation prospects, whether in private practice or working alongside established medical networks.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,786 | $22.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,936 | $47.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $153,802 | $73.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,461 | $81.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,920 | $83.61 |
Median Salary Position
9.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $128,134 (2026 est.). At $153,802, the local median is 9.38% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Greenville Optometrist Pay Compares
Greenville median: $153,802/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,704 | +19.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +9.38% more |
Optometrists in Greenville, SC earn a median of $153,802 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.38% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 19.50% above the South Carolina state average of $128,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 6.74% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.26 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $153,802 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $164,917 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.23% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,600
2025 BLS Actual
$149,380
2026 Current Est.
$153,802
2019–2027 Growth
+94.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $140,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $149,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $153,802 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,354 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 83.1% from $81,600 (2019) to $149,380 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,354 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,754 (94.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $45,786 – $97,936 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,936 – $153,802 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $153,802 – $170,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,461 – $173,920 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Greenville
The job market for optometrists in Greenville is relatively solid, with 70 professionals employed in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 93.26, Greenville offers a favorable living environment that enhances the purchasing power of optometrists compared to national standards. Among local employers, private optometry practices, especially those working within the OD/MD models, often provide the highest remuneration due to shared revenue from surgical referrals. Factors contributing to income differences include ownership stakes, practice settings, and specialized training, such as residency in ocular disease. To maximize potential pay, optometrists in Greenville should consider pursuing post-graduate residencies that enhance their credentials, look for opportunities in co-managed care environments, and remain informed about the shifting landscape of practice ownership as more private practices transition to private equity. Understanding how the changing dynamics in optometry, alongside the state's advancements in scope of practice, can impact earnings will be advantageous for professionals in the area.
More salary data for Greenville, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $149,380 for optometristsin the Greenville 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, 7-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