Optometrist Salary in Mount Juliet, TN: $127,197 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Mount Juliet, TN earns a median $127,197/year (≈ $61.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Mount Juliet's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $138,559 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, can anticipate a median annual salary of $127,197. This figure falls below the national average of $140,612, reflecting a variance of approximately 9.54%. The salary landscape for optometrists in the area ranges from $74,683 at the 10th percentile to as much as $182,348 at the 90th percentile. These local estimates derive from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, revealing that even within the local market, compensation can vary significantly. The expansion of the optometry scope of practice in Tennessee—encompassing glaucoma management, oral medications, and certain laser procedures—may enhance the earning potential for practitioners, especially those who own their practices or receive reimbursements for complex services.
About the Mount Juliet Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,683 | $35.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,676 | $50.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,197 | $61.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,860 | $74.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $182,348 | $87.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mount Juliet
In Mount Juliet, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $107,665 (2026 est.). At $127,197, the local median is 9.54% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mount Juliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mount Juliet Optometrist Pay Compares
Mount Juliet median: $127,197/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mount Juliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,912 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.54% less |
Optometrists in Mount Juliet, TN earn a median of $127,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.54% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $132,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mount Juliet 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.
Mount Juliet, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,197 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,559 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,254
2025 BLS Actual
$123,540
2026 Current Est.
$127,197
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Mount Juliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $106,787 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,441 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,197 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,962 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mount Juliet metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $104,254 (2019) to $123,540 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,962 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,708 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Juliet 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) | $74,683 – $104,676 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,676 – $127,197 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,197 – $154,860 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,860 – $182,348 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Mount Juliet
The job market for optometrists in Mount Juliet is characterized by the employment of just nine professionals, creating a tightly-knit community that may influence wage structuring. The relatively low cost-of-living index of 91.8 indicates that the earnings, although below the national average, may afford residents a better quality of life than what the raw figures suggest. Positions within well-established private optometry practices generally offer the highest compensation when compared to retail chains like LensCrafters or Walmart Vision. Additionally, factors such as practice ownership equity and the availability of surgical referral revenue in an OD/MD model can significantly affect salary ranges. To maximize earnings in this specific market, prospective optometrists may consider pursuing residency training in ocular disease to boost their qualifications, seeking negotiation opportunities post-employment offers, and aligning themselves with practices that focus on advanced specialty services.
More salary data for Mount Juliet, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Mount Juliet?
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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 $123,540 for optometristsin the Mount Juliet 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 Mount Juliet 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