Optometrist salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Optometrists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $150,420 a year ($72.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,600 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 12% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,170. There are 0.41 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $141,560, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| 25th percentile | $122,020 | $58.66 |
| Median | $150,420 | $72.32 |
| 75th percentile | $161,550 | $77.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,600 | $80.58 |
| Average (mean) | $141,560 | $68.06 |
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 | $12,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,267.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,785.38 |
| Weekly | $2,892.69 |
| Hourly | $72.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $150,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,690 | 770 |
| Roanoke, VA | $144,900 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $144,260 | 180 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Richmond, VA | $131,080 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $128,010 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,600 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,090 | 80 |
| 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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Pharmacist | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $352,590 | $169.52 |
| Physicians, All Other | $124,130 | $59.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $117,490 | $56.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $96,790 | $46.53 |
| Dentists, General | $173,810 | $83.56 |
| Veterinarian | $105,090 | $50.52 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,410 | $30.97 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $150,420 a year, or $72.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $167,600 a year. The top 25% earn $161,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,080 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $122,020 or less.
How many optometrists work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 50 optometrists are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.