Optometrist Salary in Tullahoma, TN: $122,793 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Tullahoma, TN earns a median $122,793/year (≈ $59.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Tullahoma's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $133,761 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tullahoma, Tennessee, the projected median annual pay for optometrists is $122,793 in 2026, reflecting a local market that offers competitive compensation compared to its national counterpart, which stands at $140,612. The salary range for optometrists in this area is diverse, stretching from $73,746 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $170,019 (P90) for top earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and 2026 projections, indicate that while optometry practice in Tullahoma has room for growth, it may lag slightly behind national earnings. Notably, the ability to manage glaucoma, prescribe certain oral medications, and perform laser procedures can enhance earning potential, particularly in primary care settings that offer comprehensive services.
About the Tullahoma Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,746 | $35.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,284 | $47.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $122,793 | $59.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,935 | $69.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,019 | $81.74 |
Median Salary Position
12.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tullahoma
In Tullahoma, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,273 (2026 est.). At $122,793, the local median is 12.67% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tullahoma: You'd be above the median
How Tullahoma Optometrist Pay Compares
Tullahoma median: $122,793/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tullahoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,893 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -12.67% less |
Optometrists in Tullahoma, TN earn a median of $122,793 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.67% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 7.60% below the Tennessee state average of $132,893.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tullahoma 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.
Tullahoma, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $122,793 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $133,761 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$100,645
2025 BLS Actual
$119,263
2026 Current Est.
$122,793
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Tullahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,645 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $108,548 | Actual |
| 2022 | $109,674 | Actual |
| 2023 | $115,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,263 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $122,793 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tullahoma metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $100,645 (2019) to $119,263 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,783 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tullahoma 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) | $73,746 – $99,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,284 – $122,793 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $122,793 – $143,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,935 – $170,019 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Tullahoma
Looking at the local job market, Tullahoma employs four optometrists, which reveals a small yet stable demand for eye care professionals in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 91.8, Tullahoma presents a financially advantageous environment for optometrists, enabling a better purchasing power despite the lower median salaries relative to national averages. Among employers, private optometry practices tend to offer higher compensation than retail chains like LensCrafters and optical centers in Walmart, particularly for those with residency training in ocular disease. A competitive pay strategy involves seeking positions that integrate both optometry and ophthalmology (OD/MD practices), which often provide opportunities for referral-based revenue sharing. Additionally, navigating job offers from private equity-acquired practices can yield varied compensation terms that should be carefully assessed for maximizing earnings in the Tullahoma area.
More salary data for Tullahoma, 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 $119,263 for optometristsin the Tullahoma 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 Tullahoma 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