Optometrist Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $61.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Knoxville, TN runs $61.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,793 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $66.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,276 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, the optometrist hourly rate is projected to reach $61.92 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $67.60. This salary reflects the typical pay structure for both full-time roles in private practices and retail optical chains, as well as for part-time positions that are often scheduled for three days a week. For optometrists working shorter hours, particularly in roles such as per diem optometrists in retail chains or hospital settings, the earning potential can vary significantly. At entry-level positions, the earning starts at around $23.68 per hour, while the upper-tier professionals can command rates as high as $81.64, showcasing a wide pay spectrum that is vital for new graduates as they consider career opportunities in various settings including university teaching clinics and VA outpatient eye clinics.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.68 | $189.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.51 | $308.06 |
| Median (P50) | $61.92 | $495.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.07 | $640.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.64 | $653.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $61.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.92/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $128,794 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,304. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,476.81 | $10,733 | $128,794 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,486.08 | $6,440 | $77,276 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $990.72 | $4,293 | $51,518 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Knoxville) | $61.92 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $128,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% below the Tennessee state average of $132,913.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.92/hr = $77,276/year (purchasing power: $83,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,794/year (purchasing power: $139,133).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$60.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $63.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Knoxville grew -0.1% from $60.23/hr (2019) to $60.14/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Knoxville
Exploring the financial viability of part-time work as an optometrist reveals that a professional choosing to work 24 hours a week can expect to earn about $77,000 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem optometrists often enjoy flexible arrangements and can bill anywhere from $500 to $1,200 daily, depending on the setting and their experience. Different employers in Knoxville offer varied benefits; for instance, private practices may pay lower hourly rates compared to large retail chains, yet those paying higher rates might not offer health insurance. Thus, it’s crucial for optometrists to weigh the trade-off between hourly pay and benefits when accepting positions. Negotiation strategies become essential as well—knowing the going rates for different practice types and understanding the value of one's skills in glaucoma management or residency training can bolster leverage during discussions.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Knoxville in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Knoxville?
Are optometrists in Knoxville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Knoxville?
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Knoxville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov