Optometrist Salary in South Charleston, WV: $116,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in South Charleston, WV earns a median $116,514/year (≈ $56.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in South Charleston's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $134,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Charleston, WV, the projected optometrist salary in 2026 is $116,514 annually. This figure reflects a competitive pay structure within the market, which showcases a salary range from $67,578 at the lower end (P10) to $158,293 at the upper end (P90). Local estimates, adjusted for the regional cost of living, indicate that the earnings potential for optometrists in South Charleston falls below the national median salary of $140,612 by about 17.14%. The city's job market for optometrists is shaped significantly by the choice between practice ownership, associate employment, and retail chain affiliations, with each model offering distinct compensation profiles that can greatly influence overall earnings.
About the South Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,578 | $32.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,842 | $45.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,514 | $56.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,697 | $64.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,293 | $76.10 |
Median Salary Position
17.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Charleston
In South Charleston, WV, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,715 (2026 est.). At $116,514, the local median is 17.14% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Charleston: You'd be above the median
How South Charleston Optometrist Pay Compares
South Charleston median: $116,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $121,622 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -17.14% less |
Optometrists in South Charleston, WV earn a median of $116,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.14% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $121,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Charleston has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Charleston, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $116,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,698 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,498
2025 BLS Actual
$113,164
2026 Current Est.
$116,514
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in South Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,498 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,818 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,997 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,066 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,261 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,291 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $119,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Charleston metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $95,498 (2019) to $113,164 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $119,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,464 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Charleston 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) | $67,578 – $94,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,842 – $116,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,514 – $134,697 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,697 – $158,293 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in South Charleston
The local optometry job market consists of just five employed optometrists, indicating a tight professional community. The cost of living index in South Charleston stands at 86.5, suggesting that although salaries may lag behind national averages, the purchasing power is enhanced. Employers that tend to pay the highest salaries include private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups, especially those operating under the OD/MD model, which can generate nuanced revenue streams through surgical referrals. Factors contributing to the salary spread include differing practice structures, such as whether optometrists own their practices or work in retail settings. Residency training in specialized fields also plays a role in increasing income potential. For those looking to maximize their pay in South Charleston, seeking opportunities in higher-paying practices and developing strong networks within the local optometry community is essential.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in South Charleston, WV in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in South Charleston?
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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 $113,164 for optometristsin the South Charleston 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 South Charleston 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