Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Optometrists salary grow from entry-level to senior in Tennessee? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
252% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • Tennessee salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Optometrists in Tennessee spans from $47,630 at entry-level to $167,420 at senior level — a difference of $119,790 per year.
Senior Optometristss in Tennessee earn $119,790 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Optometrists salary increases with experience in Tennessee, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $47,630 | $3,969 | $22.90 |
| Early Career | P25 | $63,510 | $5,292 | $30.53 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $134,170 | $11,181 | $64.50 |
| Experienced | P75 | $160,150 | $13,346 | $77.00 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $167,420 | $13,952 | $80.49 |
Optometrists in Tennessee offers exceptional career salary growth. Professionals who advance from entry-level to senior can expect their salary to more than triple — from $47,630 to $167,420. This 252% growth potential makes it one of the highest-growth occupations in terms of pay progression in the state. Investing in skills development and certifications can accelerate this trajectory.
Where does Tennessee rank for Optometrists senior-level salaries? Compare Tennessee's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Optometristss (10th percentile) earn approximately $47,630 per year, or $3,969 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $63,510. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Optometristss (90th percentile) earn approximately $167,420 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $160,150. This represents a career premium of 252% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Optometristss is 252%. Entry-level professionals start at $47,630, while senior-level can earn up to $167,420 — a difference of $119,790 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Optometristss is Tennessee, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $167,420 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for Tennessee from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Tennessee.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS