Optometrists Salary in Tennessee
Optometrists in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $134,170 —1.8% below the national median of $136,570. That ranks TN #30 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.73× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Highest-paying states for optometrists
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $170,310 | $81.88 | 60 | 0.67 |
| 2 | Maryland | $165,840 | $79.73 | 780 | 1.02 |
| 3 | North Carolina | $161,560 | $77.67 | 1,140 | 0.84 |
| 4 | Delaware | $161,270 | $77.54 | 190 | 1.39 |
| 5 | New York | $161,140 | $77.47 | 2,390 | 0.90 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $159,040 | $76.46 | 1,380 | 1.17 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $158,700 | $76.30 | 710 | 0.88 |
| 8 | Washington | $157,560 | $75.75 | 760 | 0.78 |
| 9 | Hawaii | $154,620 | $74.34 | 230 | 1.32 |
| 10 | Maine | $154,110 | $74.09 | 180 | 1.02 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $81,500 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $41,920 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $117,590 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do optometrists make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for optometrists in Tennessee is $134,170, or $64.51 per hour. That is 1.8% below the national median of $136,570.
What is the entry-level optometrists salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $47,630 per year ($22.90/hour). The 25th percentile is $63,510.
How many people work as optometrists in Tennessee?
About 660 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for optometrists?
Tennessee ranks #30 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.73x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Which state pays optometrists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $170,310 per year, followed by Maryland ($165,840) and North Carolina ($161,560).