Optometrist Jobs in South Carolina
Optometrist jobs in South Carolina are steadily active, concentrated in private practice, retail optical chains, and hospital-affiliated eye care clinics, with openings at every level from new graduate to experienced clinical director. The heaviest hiring is in Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston, where established employers such as Walmart Vision Centers, EyeCare Partners, and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) maintain lasting presences. The most in-demand specialties are pediatric optometry, ocular disease management, and contact lens fitting. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Optometrist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 44+ Optometrist jobs
Our office is a happy and busy practice with wonderful patients. Looking for Technicians to assist Optometrists by conducting diagnostic test, recording and measuring patients vision, preparing examination rooms, cleaning and arranging equipment, answering phones and making appointments. Also, ensuring that business needs are being met. While promoting and supporting company policies, procedures, mission, values and standards ethics and integrity.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $11.00 - $16.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Education:
- High school or equivalent (Preferred)
Experience:
- Ophthalmology Experience: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
See All 44 Optometrist Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optometrist JobsOptometrist Jobs by City in South Carolina
Where South Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Optometrist Job Market in South Carolina
A snapshot from current South Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- National Vision21
- MyEyeDr.4
- VSP Vision2
- Elevate Eye Care2
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services23
- Retail8
- Consumer Goods8
- Insurance2
What South Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in optometrist jobs across South Carolina.
- Active optometrist license issued or recognized by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry
- Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometric institution
- Passed all four parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examination
- Experience with electronic health records and optical practice management software
- Ability to diagnose and manage ocular disease including glaucoma and diabetic eye conditions
- Strong patient communication skills and comfort working with pediatric and geriatric populations
Optometrist Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a optometrist in South Carolina?
To work as an optometrist in South Carolina, you must hold an active license issued by the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Optometry. Candidates need a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited school and must pass all sections of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examination. Applications for licensure are submitted directly to the South Carolina Board, which also requires a background check and proof of professional liability insurance.
How much do optometrists make in South Carolina?
Optometrists in South Carolina earn a median of about $145,950 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $51,740 for the lowest 10% to over $172,060 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire optometrists in South Carolina?
Companies currently hiring optometrists in South Carolina include National Vision, National Vision, and MyEyeDr., per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. South Carolina's mix of hospital systems like MUSC, retail optical chains, and independent multi-location practices means openings are spread across both urban centers and smaller communities statewide.
Which South Carolina cities have the most optometrist jobs?
Anderson, Columbia, and Florence have the most optometrist openings in South Carolina. Columbia leads because it is the state capital with a large insured workforce and several hospital systems, while Greenville's growing population and Charleston's concentration of medical institutions and tourism-driven retail anchor demand in those metro areas.
Are there remote optometrist jobs in South Carolina?
Yes, but they're rare. Optometry is fundamentally a hands-on clinical role requiring in-person patient exams and equipment that cannot be replicated remotely. About 5% of optometrist openings tied to South Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically involve administrative, telehealth triage, or vision therapy coordination functions rather than full clinical care.
How can I get hired as a optometrist in South Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an optometry residency or associate optometrist role at a retail optical chain or group practice. MUSC's Department of Ophthalmology offers residency-adjacent clinical placements, and retail employers such as Walmart Vision Centers and regional optical groups regularly hire new graduates for supervised associate positions. Completing a South Carolina-based externship during your final year of optometry school and securing your state license before graduation gives you a strong competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to optometrist jobs in South Carolina?
You can find and apply to optometrist jobs in South Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your experience level and specialty, then apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 44 Optometrist Jobs in South Carolina
Find roles in South Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optometrist Jobs