Optometrist Salary in Nashville, TN: $148,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Nashville, TN earns a median $148,530/year (≈ $71.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $154,176 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Nashville, TN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $148,530, reflecting the evolving reimbursement landscape influenced by the OD/MD model of surgical co-management. This pay surpasses the national median of $140,612, offering local optometrists a competitive edge in the field. Salary figures show a wide range, from $52,685 at the lower end to $176,947 at the top tier, indicating varying levels of experience and practice settings. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, these figures illustrate how Nashville's unique healthcare environment enhances earning potential for optometrists, especially those engaged in collaborative practices that expand their scope of services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,685 | $25.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,390 | $31.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $148,530 | $71.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $167,197 | $80.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,947 | $85.08 |
Median Salary Position
5.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $124,262 (2026 est.). At $148,530, the local median is 5.63% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Nashville Optometrist Pay Compares
Nashville median: $148,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,853 | +11.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +5.63% more |
Optometrists in Nashville, TN earn a median of $148,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.63% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 11.80% above the Tennessee state average of $132,853.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $148,530 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,176 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,350
2025 BLS Actual
$144,260
2026 Current Est.
$148,530
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,990 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $108,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $148,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $152,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 29.6% from $111,350 (2019) to $144,260 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $152,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,577 (37.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $52,685 – $65,390 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,390 – $148,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $148,530 – $167,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $167,197 – $176,947 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Nashville
As of 2025, Nashville employs 180 optometrists, contributing to a robust job market characterized by diverse practice environments. With a cost-of-living index of 96.338, Nashville's relatively affordable living conditions can enhance the take-home pay for optometrists, making the city's compensation even more appealing. It’s crucial to identify which employers offer the best compensation, from independent optometry practices and ophthalmology collaborations to retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision. Elements such as ownership stakes, residency training in ocular disease, and relationships with large vision insurance providers weigh heavily on salary variations. Practitioners can optimize their earnings by considering positions in surgical co-management settings or private practices that allow for greater flexibility and equity gains, potentially leading to increased financial success in Nashville's optometry market.
More salary data for Nashville, 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 $144,260 for optometristsin the Nashville 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