Optometrist salary in Johnson City, TN
Optometrists in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn a median of $115,210 a year ($55.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,180 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 14% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,170. There are 0.39 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $109,320, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Johnson City, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| 25th percentile | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| Median | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| 75th percentile | $153,620 | $73.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,180 | $82.30 |
| Average (mean) | $109,320 | $52.56 |
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 | $9,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,800.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,431.15 |
| Weekly | $2,215.58 |
| Hourly | $55.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $144,260 | 180 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,600 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,090 | 80 |
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 Johnson City, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,660 | $37.34 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $102,430 | $49.25 |
| Physicians, All Other | $280,260 | $134.74 |
| Pharmacist | $128,580 | $61.82 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,660 | $46.47 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,070 | $38.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,050 | $39.45 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $100,060 | $48.11 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,150 | $33.73 |
| Dentists, General | $182,660 | $87.82 |
| Pediatricians, General | $64,220 | $30.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Johnson City, TN
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 Johnson City, TN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Johnson City, TN metro area is $115,210 a year, or $55.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Johnson City, TN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn at least $171,180 a year. The top 25% earn $153,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Johnson City, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,760 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $48,550 or less.
How many optometrists work in Johnson City, TN?
About 30 optometrists are employed in the Johnson City, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.