Optometrist Salary in Knoxville, TN: $128,793 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Knoxville, TN earns a median $128,793/year (≈ $61.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Knoxville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $139,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As of 2026, optometrists in Knoxville, TN enjoy a median annual salary of $128,793, which reflects a slight dip when compared to the national median of $140,612. The salary range for this profession in the local market is broad, spanning from $49,246 for entry-level roles to $169,812 for those at the top end of the spectrum. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights how local employment conditions influence optometrist pay in Knoxville. Job structure plays a significant role here; professionals employed in private practices or as owners often see enhanced earning potential compared to those in retail chains. The competitive market and the structural choice between independent ownership and employment as associates shape the financial landscape for optometrists in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,246 | $23.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,093 | $38.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,793 | $61.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,538 | $80.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,812 | $81.64 |
Median Salary Position
8.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Knoxville
In Knoxville, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $120,566 (2026 est.). At $128,793, the local median is 8.41% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Knoxville: You'd be above the median
How Knoxville Optometrist Pay Compares
Knoxville median: $128,793/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Knoxville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,913 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -8.41% less |
Optometrists in Knoxville, TN earn a median of $128,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 3.10% below the Tennessee state average of $132,913.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Knoxville has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Knoxville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.569 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $128,793 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,132 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$125,270
2025 BLS Actual
$125,090
2026 Current Est.
$128,793
2019–2027 Growth
+5.9%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $132,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,050 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,793 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Knoxville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -0.1% from $125,270 (2019) to $125,090 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,335 (5.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Knoxville 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) | $49,246 – $80,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,093 – $128,793 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,793 – $166,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,538 – $169,812 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Knoxville
The job market for optometrists in Knoxville appears robust, with approximately 80 optometrists currently employed in the area. Given the cost of living index of 92.569, which is below the national average, residents generally find their salaries extend further in terms of purchasing power. Employers range from private optometry practices, which typically offer better compensation due to practice ownership equity, to retail optical chains like LensCrafters and Pearle Vision, known for lower salaries. The spread between high and low pay can be attributed to various factors, including the involvement of residency-trained optometrists, those working under an OD/MD model, and the impact of consolidation trends leading to private equity ownership, which can affect compensation structures. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Knoxville, pursuing additional qualifications such as residency training or offering specialized services in expanded scopes of practice may yield significant advantages in this dynamic job market.
More salary data for Knoxville, 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 $125,090 for optometristsin the Knoxville 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, 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