Optometrist salary in Tennessee
What optometrists earn in Tennessee and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$134,170$64.51 per hour
vs U.S.−2%U.S. median $136,570
Middle half earn$63,510 – $160,150Top 10%: $167,420+
Jobs6600.73× the U.S. concentration
Optometrist pay in Tennessee cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $144,260 | $69.36 | 180 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | $62.06 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,090 | $60.14 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $126,600 | $60.87 | 60 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $150,420 | $72.32 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $132,200 | $63.56 | 30 |
| Johnson City, TN | $115,210 | $55.39 | 30 |
| North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $156,580 | $75.28 | 30 |
Hospitals and jobs in Tennessee
Optometrist pay in similar states
Michigan · $135,650 Indiana · $135,500 Pennsylvania · $135,400 Ohio · $134,850 Rhode Island · $134,520 Missouri · $133,810
Other healthcare salaries in Tennessee
Registered Nurses · $81,500 Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $32,130 Nursing Assistants · $37,990 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $58,870 Medical Assistants · $39,570 Nurse Practitioners · $117,590 Pharmacy Technicians · $41,920 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $62,070 Pharmacists · $133,390 Dental Assistants · $46,720 Physicians, All Other · $301,290 Physical Therapists · $100,140
Questions
How much does an optometrist make in Tennessee?
Optometrists in Tennessee earned a median of $134,170 a year ($64.51 an hour) in May 2025, 2% less than the national median of $136,570. The middle half earned $63,510 to $160,150.
Where in Tennessee do optometrists earn the most?
Among areas in Tennessee, pay was highest in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA at $150,420.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.