How much does an optometrist make in Charleston?
$154,700a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area. That is $74.36 an hour or $12,890 a month.
- Hourly
- $74.36
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 41 of 183
- Jobs in the area
- 70
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $52,100Median: $154,700Highest 10%: $179,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $52,100 | $25.05 | |
| 25th | $96,820 | $46.55 | |
| Median | $154,700 | $74.36 | |
| 75th | $170,900 | $82.16 | |
| 90th | $179,000 | $86.07 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for optometrists.
| Charlotte, NC | $157,200 |
| Columbia, SC | $156,400 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $150,000 |
| Greenville, SC | $149,400 |
| Augusta, GA | $130,400 |
Related jobs in Charleston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Anesthesiologist | $308,900 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $303,700 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,700 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $228,700 |
| Dermatologist | $207,000 |
| Physician | $163,900 |
| Pharmacist | $146,000 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,900 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,800 |
| Veterinarian | $122,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in Charleston?
The median hourly pay in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $74.36 ($154,700 a year).
Do optometrists make more in Charleston than the national average?
Yes: $154,700 against $136,600 nationally, 13% more.
How does Charleston compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $146,000, so Charleston pays 6% more.
Where does Charleston rank for optometrist pay?
41 of 183 metro areas with data.
How much does an optometrist make starting out in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $52,100 or less a year; the top 10% make $179,000 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.