Optometrist Salary in Lexington, SC: $121,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lexington, SC earns a median $121,527/year (≈ $58.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $132,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual compensation for optometrists in Lexington, South Carolina, is expected to reach $121,527. This figure indicates a competitive salary landscape, especially when the range spans from $70,485 at the 10th percentile to $166,017 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate the salary potential in a state where optometrists can perform advanced practices, including glaucoma management, oral medications, and select laser procedures. As the demand for optometry services continues to grow, especially among the aging population, opportunities for salary growth in Lexington also expand.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,485 | $33.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,780 | $46.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,527 | $58.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,059 | $67.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,017 | $79.81 |
Median Salary Position
13.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $95,532 (2026 est.). At $121,527, the local median is 13.57% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Optometrist Pay Compares
Lexington median: $121,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,600 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -13.57% less |
Optometrists in Lexington, SC earn a median of $121,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.57% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $128,600.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington 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.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $121,527 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $132,816 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
$99,607
2025 BLS Actual
$118,033
2026 Current Est.
$121,527
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,962 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,124 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $99,607 (2019) to $118,033 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,517 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $70,485 – $96,780 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,780 – $121,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,527 – $141,059 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,059 – $166,017 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lexington
Currently, there are just five optometrists employed in Lexington, illustrating a concentrated job market. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, earnings may afford a comfortable lifestyle, despite being lower than the national median. Employers in the area range from private optometry practices to retail chains like Walmart Vision. The salary variance often stems from factors such as ownership models, with private practices generally offering more competitive pay compared to retail chains. Additionally, positions that incorporate surgical referral revenue, particularly in OD/MD models, may lead to higher earnings. To maximize optometrist pay in Lexington, professionals are encouraged to consider furthering their education through residency programs or aligning with practices offering robust patient referral networks and surgical privileges.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Lexington, SC in 2026?
Is Lexington, SC a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Lexington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Lexington?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Lexington?
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 $118,033 for optometristsin the Lexington 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 Lexington 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