How much does an optometrist make in Nashville?
$144,300a year
Median yearly pay for optometrists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area. That is $69.36 an hour or $12,020 a month.
- Hourly
- $69.36
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 62 of 183
- Jobs in the area
- 180
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $51,170Median: $144,300Highest 10%: $171,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,170 | $24.60 | |
| 25th | $63,510 | $30.53 | |
| Median | $144,300 | $69.36 | |
| 75th | $162,400 | $78.07 | |
| 90th | $171,900 | $82.63 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for optometrists.
| Kingsport, TN | $150,400 |
| Memphis, TN | $129,100 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $126,600 |
| Knoxville, TN | $125,100 |
Related jobs in Nashville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Orthodontist | $361,700 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $358,100 |
| Anesthesiologist | $328,800 |
| Physician | $295,600 |
| Ophthalmologist | $232,300 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $232,200 |
| Dentist | $215,300 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $211,500 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $211,400 |
| Pediatrician | $176,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optometrist make an hour in Nashville?
The median hourly pay in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $69.36 ($144,300 a year).
Do optometrists make more in Nashville than the national average?
Yes: $144,300 against $136,600 nationally, 6% more.
How does Nashville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $134,200, so Nashville pays 8% more.
Where does Nashville rank for optometrist pay?
62 of 183 metro areas with data.
How much does an optometrist make starting out in Nashville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $51,170 or less a year; the top 10% make $171,900 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.