Optometrist Salary in Murfreesboro, TN: $145,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Murfreesboro, TN earns a median $145,898/year (≈ $70.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Murfreesboro's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $158,930 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, optometrists in Murfreesboro, TN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $145,898, surpassing the national median of $140,612 by approximately 3.76%. The salary range for optometrists within the area spans from $84,621 at the 10th percentile to $219,012 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse employment landscape that includes both private practice owners and associates as well as retail chain positions. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and cost adjustments indicate that these figures correlate with shifts in practice ownership and employment structure. Optometrists opting for independent practice potentially gain greater financial rewards than their counterparts in retail chains, enriching the overall job market in Murfreesboro.
About the Murfreesboro Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,621 | $40.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $116,296 | $55.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $145,898 | $70.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $181,259 | $87.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $219,012 | $105.30 |
Median Salary Position
3.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murfreesboro
In Murfreesboro, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $134,391 (2026 est.). At $145,898, the local median is 3.76% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murfreesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murfreesboro Optometrist Pay Compares
Murfreesboro median: $145,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murfreesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,877 | +9.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +3.76% more |
Optometrists in Murfreesboro, TN earn a median of $145,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.76% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 9.80% above the Tennessee state average of $132,877.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murfreesboro 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.
Murfreesboro, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $145,898 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,930 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$119,583
2025 BLS Actual
$141,704
2026 Current Est.
$145,898
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Murfreesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,583 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,488 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $130,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $136,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,704 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $150,217 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murfreesboro metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $119,583 (2019) to $141,704 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $150,217 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,634 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murfreesboro 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) | $84,621 – $116,296 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $116,296 – $145,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $145,898 – $181,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $181,259 – $219,012 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Murfreesboro
Analyzing the local job market reveals that 29 optometrists are actively employed in Murfreesboro, where the cost-of-living index is notably lower at 91.8, influencing take-home purchasing power positively. Among local employers, private optometry practices, especially those that integrate an OD/MD model or provide ocular disease residency training, tend to offer the most competitive compensation. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, the complexity of services offered, and the operational demands of retail chains versus private practices. Strategies to maximize pay in this market include considering residency training focused on ocular disease, exploring opportunities in higher-paying models like ophthalmology practices, and negotiating post-acquisition terms effectively as the industry continues to evolve under private equity influences. Understanding these dynamics can empower optometrists to make informed career decisions in Murfreesboro, TN.
More salary data for Murfreesboro, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Murfreesboro, TN in 2026?
Is Murfreesboro, TN a good place to work as a optometrist?
Can optometrists make $100K in Murfreesboro?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Murfreesboro?
How much does a optometrist make per hour in Murfreesboro?
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
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 $141,704 for optometristsin the Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro 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