Optometrist Salary in Franklin, TN: $146,742 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Franklin, TN earns a median $146,742/year (≈ $70.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $159,850 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.4% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the optometrist salary in Franklin, TN is projected to reach a median of $146,742, surpassing the national median of $140,612 by approximately 4.36%. The salary range for optometrists in the area also reveals significant variability, with earnings ranging from $85,110 at the 10th percentile to $217,250 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflect the structural choices within the local market, including practice ownership versus employed positions versus retail chain work. The competition among different types of employers shapes the income potential for optometrists, making Franklin a strategically unique market for this profession.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,133 | $57.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $146,742 | $70.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,524 | $85.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,250 | $104.44 |
Median Salary Position
4.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,140 (2026 est.). At $146,742, the local median is 4.36% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Optometrist Pay Compares
Franklin median: $146,742/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,918 | +10.40% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +4.36% more |
Optometrists in Franklin, TN earn a median of $146,742 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.36% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 10.40% above the Tennessee state average of $132,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $146,742 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $159,850 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,274
2025 BLS Actual
$142,523
2026 Current Est.
$146,742
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,196 | Actual |
| 2021 | $129,718 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,064 | Actual |
| 2023 | $137,608 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,928 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,523 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $146,742 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $151,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $120,274 (2019) to $142,523 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $151,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,811 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $85,110 – $119,133 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,133 – $146,742 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $146,742 – $178,524 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,524 – $217,250 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Franklin
As of 2026, Franklin is home to 18 practicing optometrists, highlighting a relatively small but stable local job market. The cost-of-living index in Franklin stands at 91.8, suggesting that residents benefit from a lower-than-average living expense, which enhances overall purchasing power. Within this market, private practices typically offer higher compensation compared to retail optical chains, although the latter can provide greater job security and structure. Factors such as practice ownership equity, the OD/MD collaboration model, and the influence of residency training specifically in ocular disease can greatly affect earnings potential. To maximize pay in Franklin, optometrists should consider enhancing their qualifications, possibly through residency programs, and target employment opportunities in practices that specialize in surgical referrals or those that have not yet transitioned to private equity ownership. Understanding these dynamics can prove crucial for both established practitioners and new graduates entering the market.
More salary data for Franklin, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $142,523 for optometristsin the Franklin metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin 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