Optometrist Salary in Morristown, TN: $131,600 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Morristown, TN earns a median $131,600/year (≈ $63.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Morristown's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $143,355 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Morristown, TN, the optometrist salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $131,600 in 2026, reflecting the financial advantages of the OD/MD model, which can incorporate revenue from surgical co-management. Salaries for optometrists in this area range from $76,328 at the 10th percentile to $184,618 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied compensation environment influenced by factors such as practice setting and experience. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which impacts overall earning potential. The competitive salary for optometrists in Morristown can be attributed to both a limited number of practitioners in the area and the increasing demand for optical care, particularly in specialty fields.
About the Morristown Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,328 | $36.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,761 | $50.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,921 | $74.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $184,618 | $88.76 |
Median Salary Position
6.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morristown
In Morristown, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $108,290 (2026 est.). At $131,600, the local median is 6.41% below the national median of $140,612.
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At 40 hours/week in Morristown: You'd be above the median
How Morristown Optometrist Pay Compares
Morristown median: $131,600/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morristown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,930 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -6.41% less |
Optometrists in Morristown, TN earn a median of $131,600 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.41% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.00% below the Tennessee state average of $132,930.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morristown 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.
Morristown, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $131,600 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $143,355 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$107,863
2025 BLS Actual
$127,817
2026 Current Est.
$131,600
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Morristown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,863 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,541 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,409 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,354 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,817 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,600 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morristown metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $107,863 (2019) to $127,817 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,633 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morristown 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) | $76,328 – $105,761 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,761 – $131,600 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,600 – $154,921 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,921 – $184,618 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Morristown
With only six optometrists currently employed in Morristown, the local job market offers unique opportunities for growth, especially as the cost of living index is at 91.8, suggesting that earnings may stretch further compared to national averages. Optometrists in Morristown may find higher pay in various settings, including ophthalmology practices that follow an OD/MD model, which provides additional revenue from surgical referrals and expands their scope of practice. In contrast, retail optical chains and private practices often feature different pay structures influenced by ownership models and employment practices. To maximize optometrist pay in Morristown, pursuing residency training in ocular disease, exploring ownership equity options, or seeking positions that offer bonuses tied to surgical co-management can be effective strategies. Understanding the nuances of local practice dynamics can greatly enhance earning potential in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Morristown, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Morristown?
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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 $127,817 for optometristsin the Morristown 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 Morristown 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