Optometrists Salary in Nashville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Median annual salary $119,270 -11.5% vs national
Median hourly $57.34
10th percentile $61,010
90th percentile $188,100
Employed locally 190
National median $134,830

Compare Optometrists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Nashville, TN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Optometrists
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Nashville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,010
    25th
    $89,630
    50th (median)
    $119,270
    75th
    $151,480
    90th
    $188,100

    Nashville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,499 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 145% Median Optometrists salary is 45% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $134,760
    Clarksville, TN-KY $132,200
    Johnson City, TN $115,210
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $113,030
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $108,920
    Knoxville, TN $107,000

    Related occupations in Nashville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $81,170
    Nurse Practitioners $116,160
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $60,290
    Pharmacy Technicians $42,130
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $62,660
    Pharmacists $135,500

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Nashville?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Nashville, TN is $57.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.63 or more per hour.

    Is Nashville above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Nashville, TN is 11.5% below the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in Nashville?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $61,010 per year in Nashville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,630.