Optometrist Salary in Hendersonville, TN: $129,093 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Hendersonville, TN earns a median $129,093/year (≈ $62.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Hendersonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $140,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hendersonville, Tennessee, the financial outlook for optometrists reflects the evolving dynamics of eye care. With a projected median annual salary of $129,093 in 2026, local optometrists can expect earnings that fall within a broad range from $74,875 at the 10th percentile to $189,697 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differentials, highlight the competitive compensation available, especially for those engaged in surgical co-management revenue models with ophthalmologists. As patients increasingly seek comprehensive care options, the demand for optometrists with advanced training and collaborative practice experience is driving earnings upward in Hendersonville’s job market.
About the Hendersonville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,875 | $35.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,926 | $48.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,093 | $62.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $155,801 | $74.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,697 | $91.20 |
Median Salary Position
8.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hendersonville
In Hendersonville, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,822 (2026 est.). At $129,093, the local median is 8.19% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hendersonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hendersonville Optometrist Pay Compares
Hendersonville median: $129,093/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hendersonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,949 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.19% less |
Optometrists in Hendersonville, TN earn a median of $129,093 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.19% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.90% below the Tennessee state average of $132,949.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hendersonville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hendersonville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $129,093 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$105,809
2025 BLS Actual
$125,382
2026 Current Est.
$129,093
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Hendersonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,379 | Actual |
| 2021 | $114,117 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,137 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,382 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,093 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hendersonville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $105,809 (2019) to $125,382 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,105 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hendersonville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,875 – $100,926 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,926 – $129,093 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,093 – $155,801 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $155,801 – $189,697 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Hendersonville
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 13 optometrists in Hendersonville, with a cost-of-living index of 91.8 indicating a more affordable environment compared to national averages. This lower cost of living can enhance purchasing power, making what may seem like a modest optometrist salary in Hendersonville more significant when adjusting for local expenses. Among the various employment settings—private optometry practices, retail optical chains such as LensCrafters and Visionworks, and OD/MD models in ophthalmology—the highest pay often stems from integrating surgical care into practice. Strategies for maximizing earnings include pursuing residency training, which can enhance marketability, and seeking ownership or partnership opportunities in private practices. Understanding the nuances of practice environments and leveraging relationships with ophthalmologists can further enhance compensation in this evolving market.
More salary data for Hendersonville, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $125,382 for optometristsin the Hendersonville metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hendersonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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