Optometrist Salary in La Vergne, TN: $126,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in La Vergne, TN earns a median $126,928/year (≈ $61.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in La Vergne's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $138,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in La Vergne, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $126,928, reflecting the local job market's robust nature. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, from $74,224 at the 10th percentile to $181,767 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level estimates and adjusted for regional price parity, provide context for understanding optometrist pay in La Vergne TN. In this area, those who are involved in the OD/MD surgical co-management model may find additional revenue streams bolstering their compensation, as collaborative practices often engage in shared referral revenues from surgical procedures, enhancing their overall earnings.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,224 | $35.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,109 | $50.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,928 | $61.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,389 | $72.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $181,767 | $87.39 |
Median Salary Position
9.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Vergne
In La Vergne, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,543 (2026 est.). At $126,928, the local median is 9.73% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Vergne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Vergne Optometrist Pay Compares
La Vergne median: $126,928/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Vergne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,909 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.73% less |
Optometrists in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $126,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.73% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $132,909.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Vergne 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.
La Vergne, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $126,928 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,266 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,034
2025 BLS Actual
$123,279
2026 Current Est.
$126,928
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,034 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,561 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,203 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,368 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,027 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,224 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,279 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Vergne metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,034 (2019) to $123,279 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,651 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne 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) | $74,224 – $104,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,109 – $126,928 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,928 – $151,389 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,389 – $181,767 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in La Vergne
Despite the competitive median salary, the cost of living index in La Vergne stands at 91.8, which is below the national average. This lower index indicates that the purchasing power of optometrists in the area may be favorable compared to larger urban centers, where costs are typically higher. With currently eight optometrists practicing locally, employment opportunities appear stable. Among local employers, ophthalmology practices offering the OD/MD model may provide higher pay, leveraging surgical referral revenue. Understanding factors that influence salary disparities is crucial; practice ownership stakes, residency training in ocular disease, and differential terms from previously private practices now under private equity ownership can all impact earnings. To maximize pay in La Vergne, new ODs should consider pursuing additional training, particularly in areas like surgical co-management, while also exploring opportunities with high-paying employers in the ophthalmology sector.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in La Vergne, TN in 2026?
Is La Vergne, TN a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in La Vergne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in La Vergne?
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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 $123,279 for optometristsin the La Vergne 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 La Vergne 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