Optometrist salary in Tennessee
Optometrists in Tennessee earn a median of $134,170 a year ($64.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $136,570. Tennessee ranks 30th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.20 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $120,920, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Median | $134,170 | $64.51 |
| 75th percentile | $160,150 | $77.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,420 | $80.49 |
| Average (mean) | $120,920 | $58.14 |
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 | $11,180.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,590.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,160.38 |
| Weekly | $2,580.19 |
| Hourly | $64.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $226,830 | $109.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Dentists, General | $215,290 | $103.51 |
| Veterinarian | $124,350 | $59.78 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,450 | $101.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for optometrists in Tennessee is $134,170 a year, or $64.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of optometrists in Tennessee earn at least $167,420 a year. The top 25% earn $160,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,630 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $63,510 or less.
How many optometrists work in Tennessee?
About 660 optometrists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.