Opticians, Dispensing salary in Knoxville, TN
Opticians, Dispensing in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $49,050 a year ($23.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,730 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,840. There are 0.45 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Median | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| 75th percentile | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,730 | $34.00 |
| Average (mean) | $51,920 | $24.96 |
Half of opticians, dispensing earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,087.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,043.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,886.54 |
| Weekly | $943.27 |
| Hourly | $23.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,300 | 440 |
| Morristown, TN | $51,770 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,010 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,660 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,620 | 220 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,480 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,140 | 130 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,510 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,960 | $27.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Surgical Technologist | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| Paramedic | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $72,100 | $34.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $49,050 a year, or $23.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $70,730 a year. The top 25% earn $61,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,510 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $37,580 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Knoxville, TN?
About 190 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.