Optometrist Salary in Sumter, SC: $122,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Sumter, SC earns a median $122,530/year (≈ $58.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Sumter's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $133,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, projections for 2026 indicate that optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $122,530. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $140,612, positioning Sumter's optometrist pay approximately 12.86% beneath the national average. The salary spectrum for this profession in Sumter ranges from $71,086 at the lower end to $179,138 for those at the higher end of the pay scale, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. The local market for optometrists is influenced by the state's broad practice scope, including the management of glaucoma and the prescription of oral medications, which can enhance earning potential and job satisfaction.
About the Sumter Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,086 | $34.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,083 | $48.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,530 | $58.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,379 | $71.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $179,138 | $86.13 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sumter
In Sumter, SC, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,052 (2026 est.). At $122,530, the local median is 12.86% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sumter: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sumter Optometrist Pay Compares
Sumter median: $122,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sumter Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $128,708 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.86% less |
Optometrists in Sumter, SC earn a median of $122,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $128,708.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sumter 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.
Sumter, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $122,530 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,429
2025 BLS Actual
$119,007
2026 Current Est.
$122,530
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,429 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,869 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,439 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,903 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,007 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,156 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sumter metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $100,429 (2019) to $119,007 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,156 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,727 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sumter 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) | $71,086 – $100,083 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,083 – $122,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,530 – $148,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,379 – $179,138 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Sumter
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Currently, Sumter employs only eight optometrists, suggesting a relatively tight labor market in this region, which may drive competition for available positions. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, lower than the national average, professionals here can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power despite the slightly reduced salaries compared to their national counterparts. Among potential employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology clinics tend to offer the most competitive salaries, influenced by factors such as practice ownership and the OD/MD collaborative model that allows optometrists to capitalize on surgical referrals. To maximize earnings in Sumter, ODs might consider gaining expertise in ocular disease or pursuing residency training, as these credentials can not only enhance employability but can also lead to higher pay scales, reflecting the ongoing shift in the optometry field towards complex patient management under expanded scopes of practice.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $119,007 for optometristsin the Sumter 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 Sumter 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