Optometrist Hourly Pay in Oak Ridge, TN: $62.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Oak Ridge, TN runs $62.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,394 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Oak Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,240 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Ridge, TN, the optometrist hourly pay reaches a median of $62.69, which is below the national median hourly rate of $67.60. This discrepancy indicates that local optometrists, including those working in a variety of settings such as private exam rooms, retail optical chains, or VA outpatient clinics, may face distinct economic challenges. For those interested in part-time opportunities, working three days a week at this median rate amounts to a significant income. The hourly pay range varies widely, starting at $36.36 for entry-level positions and rising to $93.04 for those at the top of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse experiences and qualifications typical in the field. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, illustrating the projected earning potential for optometrists in this area as of 2026.
About the Oak Ridge 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) | $36.36 | $290.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.66 | $397.26 |
| Median (P50) | $62.69 | $501.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.41 | $595.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93.04 | $744.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Ridge
Based on $62.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.69/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Ridge, TN can expect to earn approximately $130,400 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,231. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,507.69 | $10,867 | $130,400 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,504.62 | $6,520 | $78,240 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,003.08 | $4,347 | $52,160 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Oak Ridge) | $62.69 |
| 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 Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $130,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.27% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $132,919.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.69/hr = $78,240/year (purchasing power: $85,229).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,400/year (purchasing power: $142,048).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$51.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $55.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Oak Ridge grew 18.5% from $51.38/hr (2019) to $60.89/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.55/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 Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge
The part-time earning potential for optometrists in Oak Ridge means a practitioner working 24 hours a week can expect to make considerably less annually than their full-time counterparts. Part-time professionals may love the flexibility, but their overall financial outcomes can be significantly lower. Per diem roles, on the other hand, offer a different reality. Optometrists filling in at retail chains typically command daily fees between $500 and $800, while those in OD/MD practices earn from $700 to $1,200 per day. Residency-trained ocular disease optometrists in hospital systems can see hourly compensation rates ranging from $90 to $130. The variability of hourly rates across various employer types, including private practices, retail chains like LensCrafters and Walmart Vision, and hospital systems, illustrates how the benefits package can influence pay dynamics. While some optometrists may accept lower hourly rates for comprehensive health insurance benefits, others may choose higher hourly rates without such benefits to maximize short-term earnings. Negotiating optimal pay in the local market requires understanding this balance, as well as recognizing the demand for optometric services due to recent expansions in scope-of-practice laws in many states.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Oak Ridge in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Oak Ridge?
Are optometrists in Oak Ridge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Oak Ridge?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Oak Ridge?
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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 Oak Ridge. 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 Oak Ridge 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