Optometrist Salary in Kingsport, TN: $154,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kingsport, TN earns a median $154,872/year (≈ $74.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kingsport's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $179,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kingsport, Tennessee, optometrists can expect a median annual salary of $154,872 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the market. This figure signifies a notable advantage over the national average for optometrists, which stands at $140,612. Salary ranges indicate diversity in earnings, with entry-level positions starting around $61,858 and experienced professionals earning up to $172,561. These insights are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and underline the structural choices faced by optometrists in Kingsport—whether to work in private practice, join a retail optical chain, or pursue employment in ophthalmology settings. With a growing demand for comprehensive eye care in the region, local practitioners are well-positioned to benefit from the evolving job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,858 | $29.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,632 | $60.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $154,872 | $74.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,332 | $79.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,561 | $82.97 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsport
In Kingsport, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $110,703 (2026 est.). At $154,872, the local median is 10.14% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kingsport: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Kingsport Optometrist Pay Compares
Kingsport median: $154,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kingsport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,938 | +16.50% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +10.14% more |
Optometrists in Kingsport, TN earn a median of $154,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 16.50% above the Tennessee state average of $132,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kingsport has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kingsport, TN has a cost-of-living index of 86.447 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $154,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $179,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$133,540
2025 BLS Actual
$150,420
2026 Current Est.
$154,872
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kingsport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $133,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $140,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $136,906 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $128,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $134,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $150,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $154,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $159,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kingsport metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 12.6% from $133,540 (2019) to $150,420 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $159,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,917 (19.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsport 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) | $61,858 – $125,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,632 – $154,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $154,872 – $166,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,332 – $172,561 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kingsport
The optometrist job market in Kingsport consists of approximately 50 employed practitioners, offering a relatively steady employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 86.447, the purchasing power of optometrists is enhanced, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle despite the economic variables at play. Among local employers, private optometry practices tend to offer some of the highest salaries, particularly those that adopt an OD/MD model, generating additional revenue through surgical referral arrangements. The disparity in salaries can also be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity and the impact of residency training, with those completing specialized programs potentially commanding higher wages. To maximize earnings in Kingsport, optometrists should consider strategic networking within the community, continual professional development, and exploring opportunities in collaboration with ophthalmology to enhance their clinical scope.
More salary data for Kingsport, 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 $150,420 for optometristsin the Kingsport 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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