Optometrist salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Optometrists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $126,600 a year ($60.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,770 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,170. There are 0.24 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $118,960, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| 25th percentile | $58,860 | $28.30 |
| Median | $126,600 | $60.87 |
| 75th percentile | $156,270 | $75.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $163,770 | $78.74 |
| Average (mean) | $118,960 | $57.19 |
Half of optometrists 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 | $10,550 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,275 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,869.23 |
| Weekly | $2,434.62 |
| Hourly | $60.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | $159,330 | 30 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $144,260 | 180 |
| Albany, GA | $134,250 | 40 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $130,390 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $128,830 | 450 |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,090 | 80 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $121,830 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $115,210 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Physicians, All Other | $429,900 | $206.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,960 | $46.14 |
| Dentists, General | $160,620 | $77.22 |
| Veterinarian | $125,790 | $60.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,600 | $58.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $264,690 | $127.26 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. 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 optometrist make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $126,600 a year, or $60.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $163,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $163,770 a year. The top 25% earn $156,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,190 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $58,860 or less.
How many optometrists work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 60 optometrists are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.