Optometrists Salary in Tennessee
Optometrists in Tennessee make a median of $110,660 a year, or about $53.2 an hour. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $111K get you in Tennessee?
About optometrists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level optometrists (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $111K. Top earners bring in $175K or more, a $119K spread from bottom to top.
Optometrists salary by metro in Tennessee
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingsport-Bristol | $135K | +22% | 50 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $119K | +8% | 190 |
| Memphis | $113K | +2% | 100 |
| Chattanooga | $109K | -2% | 50 |
| Knoxville | $107K | -3% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track optometrists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in Tennessee?
The median is $110,660 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,510, and experienced optometrists can clear $174,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $111K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,186/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 16.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a optometrists salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median optometrists salary is worth about $123,257 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do optometrists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.