Optometrist Hourly Pay in Memphis, TN: $63.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Memphis, TN runs $63.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,901 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Memphis's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $69.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,743 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Memphis, Tennessee, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $63.90 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $67.60. This rate represents a solid income for those practicing in various settings, such as private optometry offices, retail optical chains, and hospital outpatient clinics. For part-time optometrists who work three days a week, primarily in flexible roles, earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, ranging from $24.08 to $83.34 per hour. Entry-level positions tend to fall at the lower end of this scale, while more experienced optometrists, especially in high-demand fields like ocular disease management, can aspire to rates that approach the top of the spectrum. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.08 | $192.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.01 | $208.06 |
| Median (P50) | $63.90 | $511.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79.72 | $637.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83.34 | $666.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Memphis
Based on $63.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.90/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Memphis, TN can expect to earn approximately $132,906 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,676. With a cost-of-living index of 92.18 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Memphis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Memphis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,555.88 | $11,075 | $132,906 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,533.53 | $6,645 | $79,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,022.35 | $4,430 | $53,162 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Memphis) | $63.90 |
| 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 Memphis, TN earn a median of $132,901 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.48% lower than the national median of $140,612.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.90/hr = $79,743/year (purchasing power: $86,509).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,906/year (purchasing power: $144,182).
CoL index: 92.179 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$45.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $50.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $51.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Memphis grew 35.7% from $45.75/hr (2019) to $62.06/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.79/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 Memphis 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 Memphis
Career choices in optometry can significantly influence hourly earnings in Memphis. An optometrist working just 24 hours a week can expect to generate a respectable annual income, but full-time positions naturally yield higher cumulative earnings. In addition to traditional employment, per diem optometrists in Memphis frequently secure contracts that fetch between $500 and $800 daily at retail chains, or $700 to $1,200 at OD/MD practices. Residency-trained optometrists may even command between $90 and $130 per hour in hospital settings, reflecting their advanced skills. The employment landscape includes a mix of private practices, retail optical outlets, and hospital systems, each providing varied compensation packages. Some optometrists may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others prioritize maximizing their hourly pay without those perks. Negotiating rates can be crucial, particularly when aligning expectations with the realities of the local market dynamics.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Memphis in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Memphis?
Are optometrists in Memphis paid hourly or salary?
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Related Pages
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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 Memphis. 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