Optometrist Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $71.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Nashville, TN runs $71.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $148,530 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $89,123 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, optometrists earn a median hourly rate of $71.41, which is 5.63% higher than the national median of $67.60. This competitive pay reflects the demand for optometrists across various settings, including private practices, retail optical chains, and VA outpatient clinics. For those considering part-time work, for instance at three days a week, they can still earn a solid income due to this hourly rate. According to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates, entry-level optometrists in the Nashville area may start at approximately $25.33, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $85.08. These figures highlight the potential earnings for both part-time and per-diem optometrists, who may work anywhere they are called upon within the city, adapting to the fluid needs of the job market.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.33 | $202.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.43 | $251.47 |
| Median (P50) | $71.41 | $571.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80.38 | $643.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85.08 | $680.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $71.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $71.41/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $148,539 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $85,696. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,856.52 | $12,378 | $148,539 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,713.91 | $7,427 | $89,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,142.61 | $4,951 | $59,416 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Nashville) | $71.41 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $148,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.63% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 11.80% above the Tennessee state average of $132,853.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $71.41/hr = $89,123/year (purchasing power: $92,511).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $148,539/year (purchasing power: $154,185).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$69.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$71.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $52.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $69.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Nashville grew 29.6% from $53.53/hr (2019) to $69.36/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $73.53/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
When evaluating the part-time earning potential in Nashville, an optometrist working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $49,443 annually, which may differ significantly from full-time earnings. For those seeking per diem opportunities, the daily pay can vary widely; retail chains may offer rates from $500 to $800 per day, while clinical fill-in work for OD/MD practices can reach $1,200 per day. Additionally, residency-trained optometrists in hospital settings can command hourly rates between $90 and $130 as independent contractors. Different employment types also yield varying hourly rates—private practices might offer lower rates but provide benefits, whereas retail chains could offer higher hourly wages without health insurance. Optometrists should weigh these factors when negotiating pay, as securing benefits can be equally valuable as higher hourly rates, especially in a thriving city like Nashville.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Nashville. 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