How much does an optician make in Columbia?
$46,150a year
Median yearly pay for opticians in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $22.19 an hour or $3,846 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.19
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 152 of 318
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,700Median: $46,150Highest 10%: $68,440
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,700 | $17.64 | |
| 25th | $38,200 | $18.37 | |
| Median | $46,150 | $22.19 | |
| 75th | $57,100 | $27.45 | |
| 90th | $68,440 | $32.90 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for opticians.
| Spartanburg, SC | $55,170 |
| Charlotte, NC | $51,620 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $48,390 |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $48,120 |
| Charleston, SC | $47,900 |
| Florence, SC | $47,150 |
| Greenville, SC | $46,920 |
| Augusta, GA | $44,700 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physician | $374,300 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $296,000 |
| Anesthesiologist | $290,600 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $271,400 |
| Psychiatrist | $251,100 |
| Surgeon | $239,200 |
| Dentist | $228,800 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $224,400 |
| Optometrist | $156,400 |
| Pharmacist | $133,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optician make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $22.19 ($46,150 a year).
Do opticians make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $46,150 against $47,260 nationally, 2% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $48,000, so Columbia pays 4% less.
Where does Columbia rank for optician pay?
152 of 318 metro areas with data.
How much does an optician make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,700 or less a year; the top 10% make $68,440 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.