Optometrist Hourly Pay in Germantown, TN: $62.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Germantown, TN runs $62.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,352 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Germantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $67.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,610 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Germantown, Tennessee, the optometrist hourly pay is projected to be $62.19 in 2026, falling below the national hourly median of $67.60. This rate has implications for both full-time and part-time practitioners, particularly for those working three days a week in various settings such as private optometry practices, retail optical chains, and hospital outpatient clinics. With an hourly range from $36.07 for entry-level positions to $91.33 for the top earners, the potential exists for optometrists to adjust their workload to accommodate personal circumstances while still securing a competitive paycheck. It's important to recognize that these hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the diverse earning opportunities in Germantown and the surrounding areas.
About the Germantown Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.07 | $288.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.44 | $419.50 |
| Median (P50) | $62.19 | $497.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75.55 | $604.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91.33 | $730.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Germantown
Based on $62.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.19/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Germantown, TN can expect to earn approximately $129,351 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,625. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Germantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Germantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,487.51 | $10,779 | $129,351 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,492.51 | $6,468 | $77,610 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $995.01 | $4,312 | $51,740 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Germantown) | $62.19 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Germantown, TN earn a median of $129,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.70% below the Tennessee state average of $132,941.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.19/hr = $77,610/year (purchasing power: $84,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,351/year (purchasing power: $140,905).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$50.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Germantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Germantown grew 18.5% from $50.97/hr (2019) to $60.40/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.03/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Germantown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Germantown
For part-time optometrists working 24 hours a week, the take-home pay can be substantial, differing significantly from full-timers. Per diem optometrists in Germantown often bill between $500 and $800 for daily work in retail environments, while those involved in OD/MD practices may earn anywhere from $700 to $1,200 per day. Residency-trained ocular disease specialists positioned within hospital systems might command rates between $90 and $130 per hour on a 1099 basis. Hourly rates can vary considerably across employer types in Germantown, with private practices, retail optical chains, and VA medical centers presenting different compensation models. While some optometrists may choose to accept lower hourly pay for benefits such as health insurance, others prioritize higher pay for greater flexibility. For those negotiating hourly rates, it’s crucial to understand the local market dynamics and to highlight qualifications like AOA or NBEO accreditation, as well as the growing scope of practice that includes management of glaucoma and other conditions, to strengthen their bargaining position.
More salary data for Germantown, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Germantown in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Germantown?
Are optometrists in Germantown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Germantown?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Germantown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Germantown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Germantown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov