Optometrist Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $154,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $154,450/year (≈ $74.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $164,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, optometrists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $154,450 in 2026, representing a remarkable increase relative to the national median for the occupation, which stands at $140,612. This local compensation, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, falls within a salary range that spans from $78,651 at the 10th percentile to $166,198 at the 90th percentile. The market structure varies significantly between practice ownership, employed associates, and retail chains, influencing earning potential in different ways. Optometrists in Myrtle Beach are benefiting from a growing demand for eye care, particularly as the scope of practice continues to expand, leading to increased practice ownership opportunities that often yield higher returns.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,651 | $37.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,678 | $50.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,450 | $74.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,131 | $77.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $166,198 | $79.90 |
Median Salary Position
9.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,547 (2026 est.). At $154,450, the local median is 9.84% above the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Myrtle Beach: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Myrtle Beach Optometrist Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $154,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,709 | +20.00% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +9.84% more |
Optometrists in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $154,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 20.00% above the South Carolina state average of $128,709.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $154,450 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $164,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$126,592
2025 BLS Actual
$150,010
2026 Current Est.
$154,450
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $126,592 | Actual |
| 2020 | $129,667 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $109,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,022 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $126,592 (2019) to $150,010 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,430 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $78,651 – $105,678 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,678 – $154,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,450 – $162,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,131 – $166,198 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Myrtle Beach
The job market for optometrists in Myrtle Beach is supported by approximately 50 practitioners, providing a specialized community amid a cost-of-living index of 93.642, which is below the national average. This discrepancy in living expenses means that take-home pay for optometrists in the area stretches further, enhancing overall purchasing power. Salary levels can fluctuate based on various employment settings, with private optometry practices and ophthalmology practices typically offering the most competitive pay. Factors influencing the disparity in compensation include the level of practice ownership, partnerships with ophthalmologists, and the specifics of retail versus private practice employment models. For those seeking higher salaries, pursuing residency training in ocular disease or aligning with practices that embrace surgical referral revenue sharing can be advantageous. Understanding the local dynamics of optometrist pay in Myrtle Beach, SC, is crucial for recent graduates and seasoned practitioners alike who are aiming to maximize their earning potential in this vibrant coastal region.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, 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 $150,010 for optometristsin the Myrtle Beach 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, 4-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