Optometrist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Optometrists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $144,260 a year ($69.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,860 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 8% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $134,170. There are 0.16 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $122,420, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| 25th percentile | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Median | $144,260 | $69.36 |
| 75th percentile | $162,390 | $78.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,860 | $82.63 |
| Average (mean) | $122,420 | $58.86 |
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 | $12,021.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,010.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,548.46 |
| Weekly | $2,774.23 |
| Hourly | $69.36 |
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 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | $40.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | $66.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,640 | $142.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,700 | $37.84 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,050 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,630 | $48.38 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $211,370 | $101.62 |
| Veterinarian | $126,230 | $60.69 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for optometrists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $144,260 a year, or $69.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $171,860 a year. The top 25% earn $162,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,170 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $63,510 or less.
How many optometrists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 180 optometrists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.