Optometrist Salary in Hilton Head Island, SC: $127,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hilton Head Island, SC earns a median $127,801/year (≈ $61.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hilton Head Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $139,673 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Optometrists in Hilton Head Island can expect a median annual salary of $127,801 in 2026, which is approximately 9.11% lower than the national median of $140,612. The local salary range varies significantly, from $74,125 at the 10th percentile to $184,921 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, reflect the local economic realities and practice settings, typical in this coastal South Carolina market. A mix of practice ownership, employment at independent practices, and positions with retail optical chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision creates varied compensation opportunities for optometrists in the region. Understanding this landscape is essential for any eye care professional considering a career here.
About the Hilton Head Island Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,125 | $35.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,180 | $49.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,801 | $61.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,591 | $73.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,921 | $88.91 |
Median Salary Position
9.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,796 (2026 est.). At $127,801, the local median is 9.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilton Head Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilton Head Island Optometrist Pay Compares
Hilton Head Island median: $127,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilton Head Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,702 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.11% less |
Optometrists in Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $127,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.70% below the South Carolina state average of $128,702.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilton Head Island 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.
Hilton Head Island, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,801 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,673 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,930
2025 BLS Actual
$124,127
2026 Current Est.
$127,801
2019–2027 Growth
+35.8%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,147 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,127 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,584 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilton Head Island metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 28.1% from $96,930 (2019) to $124,127 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,584 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,654 (35.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilton Head Island 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) | $74,125 – $103,180 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,180 – $127,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,801 – $153,591 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,591 – $184,921 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hilton Head Island
In Hilton Head Island, the job market for optometrists remains relatively small, with only six practitioners currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that while salaries might be lower than the national average, purchasing power can still be favorable. Among local employers, private optometry practices often offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains, primarily due to the direct relationship with patients and the ability to manage their own revenue streams. The disparity between lower and higher pay can be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, the integration of ophthalmology services, and varying residency training experiences. Optometrists looking to increase their earnings in Hilton Head Island SC should consider avenues like establishing a private practice, pursuing residency training, or exploring opportunities that leverage advanced scopes of practice in glaucoma management and therapeutic medications.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Hilton Head Island, SC in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Hilton Head Island?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Hilton Head Island?
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Related Pages
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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 $124,127 for optometristsin the Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island 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