Optometrist salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Optometrists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $129,080 a year ($62.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,350 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,170. There are 0.18 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $118,450, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $52,540 | $25.26 |
| Median | $129,080 | $62.06 |
| 75th percentile | $161,060 | $77.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,350 | $80.94 |
| Average (mean) | $118,450 | $56.95 |
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 | $10,756.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,378.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,964.62 |
| Weekly | $2,482.31 |
| Hourly | $62.06 |
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 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $131,890 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,600 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,090 | 80 |
| Jackson, MS | $122,770 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $115,210 | 30 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $114,360 | 70 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $109,200 | 40 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $256,240 | $123.19 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $298,620 | $143.57 |
| Veterinarian | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,900 | $58.61 |
| Dentists, General | $238,040 | $114.44 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for optometrists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $129,080 a year, or $62.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $168,350 a year. The top 25% earn $161,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,650 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $52,540 or less.
How many optometrists work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 110 optometrists are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.