Opticians, Dispensing salary in Tennessee
Opticians, Dispensing in Tennessee earn a median of $49,840 a year ($23.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,160 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $47,260. Tennessee ranks 15th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.47 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 Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| 25th percentile | $37,620 | $18.09 |
| Median | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| 75th percentile | $63,100 | $30.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| 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 | $4,153.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,076.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,916.92 |
| Weekly | $958.46 |
| Hourly | $23.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,300 | 440 |
| Morristown, TN | $51,770 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,010 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,050 | 190 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Tennessee is $49,840 a year, or $23.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Tennessee earn at least $74,160 a year. The top 25% earn $63,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,740 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $37,620 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Tennessee?
About 1,530 opticians, dispensing are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.