Optometrist Salary in Smyrna, TN: $134,335 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Smyrna, TN earns a median $134,335/year (≈ $64.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Smyrna's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $146,334 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Tennessee, the projected median annual optometrist salary in 2026 is $134,335, reflecting the city's competitive landscape for eye care professionals. This figure is slightly below the national median of $140,612. The salary range is diverse, spanning from $77,914 at the 10th percentile to $194,326 at the 90th percentile, indicating a potential for significant earnings based on experience, practice ownership, and additional roles, such as surgical co-management alongside ophthalmologists. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, account for regional cost adjustments, offering insight into the local market dynamics for optometrists in Smyrna, TN—a city poised for growth within the field.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($128,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,914 | $37.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,327 | $51.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,335 | $64.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,636 | $78.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,326 | $93.43 |
Median Salary Position
4.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Smyrna
In Smyrna, TN, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $116,412 (2026 est.). At $134,335, the local median is 4.46% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Smyrna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Smyrna Optometrist Pay Compares
Smyrna median: $134,335/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Smyrna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $132,873 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -4.46% less |
Optometrists in Smyrna, TN earn a median of $134,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.46% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 1.10% above the Tennessee state average of $132,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Smyrna 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.
Smyrna, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $134,335 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $146,334 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$110,105
2025 BLS Actual
$130,473
2026 Current Est.
$134,335
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $110,105 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,780 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $119,983 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,973 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $130,473 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,335 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $138,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Smyrna metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $110,105 (2019) to $130,473 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $138,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,206 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Smyrna 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) | $77,914 – $106,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,327 – $134,335 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,335 – $163,636 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,636 – $194,326 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Smyrna
The local job market for optometrists is relatively stable, with only 12 professionals currently operating in Smyrna, which can affect the demand and compensation levels. The cost of living index at 91.8 suggests that take-home earnings may go further in Smyrna compared to regions with a higher index, enhancing purchasing power. Among local employers, those involved in the OD/MD model often provide the highest compensation, leveraging surgical co-management revenue streams. The spread in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as practice ownership equity, differences in business models, and specialization, including residency training in ocular disease. Optometrists looking to maximize pay in Smyrna should consider engaging with surgical referrals, exploring opportunities within private practices, and assessing the long-term employment terms offered by practices transitioning to private equity ownership.
More salary data for Smyrna, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Smyrna, TN in 2026?
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Can optometrists make $100K in Smyrna?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted optometrist salary in Smyrna?
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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 $130,473 for optometristsin the Smyrna 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 Smyrna 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