Tennessee Median
$49,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#15 of 51
1,530 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Tennessee?
Opticians, Dispensing in Tennessee take home a median of $49,840 annually — roughly $23.96 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $47,260.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $34,740 while the top 10% make $74,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,620 and $63,100 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,740 | $16.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,620 | $18.09 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,840 | $23.96 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,100 | $30.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,160 | $35.65 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Optician, Dispensing pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optician, Dispensing salary in other states
Connecticut $75,300Hawaii $75,300New Jersey $72,460Massachusetts $67,210New York $63,880District of Columbia $61,310Florida $58,850Alaska $58,250California $57,990Vermont $57,350Virginia $55,820New Hampshire $51,980Ohio $50,500North Carolina $50,190Washington $49,220Oregon $49,210Maryland $48,700Arizona $48,210Minnesota $48,020Georgia $48,010South Carolina $48,000Rhode Island $47,400Colorado $47,310Maine $47,220Montana $47,050Nevada $46,910Delaware $46,220Pennsylvania $45,450North Dakota $45,230Wisconsin $44,820Iowa $44,480Kentucky $44,290Illinois $43,960Idaho $43,950South Dakota $43,400Arkansas $42,880Utah $41,780Michigan $41,180Kansas $40,140Nebraska $39,830Indiana $39,370Wyoming $39,100New Mexico $39,090Missouri $38,750Texas $38,720West Virginia $38,120Oklahoma $37,940Alabama $36,880Mississippi $36,680Louisiana $36,360
Working as an Optician, Dispensing in Tennessee
Nationally, about 74,000 people work as Opticians, Dispensing in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($49,840) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Tennessee?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in Tennessee is $49,840 per year, or about $23.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,740 at the entry level to $74,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Opticians, Dispensing about 5% more than the national median of $47,260. Tennessee ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,840 a year. About 1,530 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optician, Dispensing salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.