Optometrist salary in Knoxville, TN
Optometrists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $125,090 a year ($60.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,930 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,170. There are 0.19 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $116,860, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Median | $125,090 | $60.14 |
| 75th percentile | $161,750 | $77.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,930 | $79.29 |
| Average (mean) | $116,860 | $56.18 |
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 | $10,424.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,212.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,811.15 |
| Weekly | $2,405.58 |
| Hourly | $60.14 |
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 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $109,740 | $52.76 |
| Pharmacist | $132,460 | $63.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $276,370 | $132.87 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $460,080 | $221.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,110 | $46.21 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| Veterinarian | $121,160 | $58.25 |
| Physician Assistant | $107,980 | $51.91 |
| Dentists, General | $157,900 | $75.92 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $213,900 | $102.84 |
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 29-1041. 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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $125,090 a year, or $60.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $164,930 a year. The top 25% earn $161,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,830 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $77,790 or less.
How many optometrists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 80 optometrists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.