Optometrist Salary in Tennessee: $137,046 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $137,046/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $149,288 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kingsport ($150,420), Nashville ($144,260), Franklin ($142,523).
In Tennessee, optometrists can expect an average median salary of $137,046 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612, reflecting a difference of 2.5%. The salary range across cities shows a notable gap, with Kingsport offering the highest average salary at $154,872, while Johnson City has the lowest at $118,620, resulting in a disparity of $36,252. This variation often stems from differences in local demand for eye care services, cost of living, and the presence of competing healthcare facilities. Tennessee has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that affect optometry practice. The state requires optometrists to complete a Doctor of Optometry degree and pass national and state board examinations. As the population ages and awareness of eye health increases, the demand for optometric services is expected to grow, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 2.96% for optometrist positions in the state. With a total of 774 employed optometrists in Tennessee and a varied job market in 30 metro areas, professionals can find opportunities in cities like Nashville, which has a projected salary of $148,530, and Franklin at $146,742. Overall, the job market for optometrists in Tennessee shows promise, with steady demand and competitive salaries in various locations.
Tennessee Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $47,114 (lowest entry-level) to $219,012 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee optometrists earn 2.54% less than the national median ($-3,566/year difference).
Tennessee Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Tennessee range from $59,408 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $179,582 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $137,046. The Tennessee median is $3,566 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $65.89/hr. Approximately 774 optometrists are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$109,324
2025 BLS Actual
$133,106
2026 Current Est.
$137,046
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,324 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,255 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,387 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,888 | Actual |
| 2023 | $109,611 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,954 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,106 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,046 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 21.8% from $109,324 (2019) to $133,106 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,779 (29.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnson City | $118,620 |
| Tullahoma | $122,793 |
| Sevierville | $125,471 |
| Maryville | $126,196 |
| Cookeville | $126,278 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport | $154,872 | 86.447 | $179,153 |
| Franklin | $146,742 | 91.8 | $159,850 |
| Murfreesboro | $145,898 | 91.8 | $158,930 |
| Nashville | $148,530 | 96.338 | $154,176 |
| Clarksville | $136,113 | 90.947 | $149,662 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,408 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $137,046 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $179,582 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kingsport | $154,872 |
| 2 | Nashville | $148,530 |
| 3 | Franklin | $146,742 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $145,898 |
| 5 | Clarksville | $136,113 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $134,335 |
| 7 | Jackson | $134,082 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $133,661 |
| 9 | Collierville | $133,198 |
| 10 | Memphis | $132,901 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $132,177 |
| 12 | Morristown | $131,600 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $130,404 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $130,394 |
| 15 | Chattanooga | $130,347 |
| 16 | Cleveland | $129,806 |
| 17 | Columbia | $129,518 |
| 18 | Germantown | $129,352 |
| 19 | Hendersonville | $129,093 |
| 20 | Gallatin | $128,868 |
| 21 | Knoxville | $128,793 |
| 22 | Brentwood | $128,197 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $127,201 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $127,197 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $126,928 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $126,278 |
| 27 | Maryville | $126,196 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $125,471 |
| 29 | Tullahoma | $122,793 |
| 30 | Johnson City | $118,620 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Tennessee?
How many optometrists are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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