Opticians, Dispensing salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Opticians, Dispensing in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $52,300 a year ($25.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,850 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 5% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,840. There are 0.40 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| 25th percentile | $40,290 | $19.37 |
| Median | $52,300 | $25.14 |
| 75th percentile | $65,720 | $31.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Average (mean) | $54,980 | $26.43 |
Half of opticians, dispensing earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,358.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,179.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,011.54 |
| Weekly | $1,005.77 |
| Hourly | $25.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Morristown, TN | $51,770 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,010 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,050 | 190 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,660 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,620 | 220 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,480 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,140 | 130 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,510 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,300 | $24.66 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Paramedic | $63,450 | $30.50 |
| Surgical Technologist | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $89,710 | $43.13 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $80,320 | $38.62 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $44,640 | $21.46 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $59,010 | $28.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $52,300 a year, or $25.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $76,850 a year. The top 25% earn $65,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,590 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $40,290 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 440 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.