Optometrist Jobs in Tennessee
Optometrist jobs in Tennessee are consistently active, with demand spread across private practices, retail optical chains, and integrated health systems serving communities from Memphis to Knoxville. The largest concentrations of openings are in Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville, where employers like Walmart Vision Centers, LensCrafters, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center maintain lasting hiring pipelines. Opportunities exist at every level, from associate optometrists joining established practices to experienced ODs pursuing specialty roles in pediatric vision, ocular disease management, and low vision rehabilitation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Love What You Do — And Where You Do It
We’re reimagining what a career in optometry should look like. Think less burnout, more balance. Less micromanagement, more autonomy. Less routine, more purpose!
At our practice, you’re more than an optometrist — you’re a trusted partner in eye care. We’ve built an environment where compassion, innovation, and your well-being come first.
What you’ll find here:
- Supportive, collaborative culture
- Advanced technology for excellent patient care
- Flexible schedules for better work-life balance
- Leadership and growth opportunities
- A genuine focus on you — your goals, your life, your success
Thrive personally and professionally with a team that values what matters most.
Rewarding compensation
- Competitive salary with bonus potential (not tied to sales)
- Sign-on bonus options or student loan repayment support for select locations
- License reimbursement and malpractice insurance included
- Continuing education hours provided annually through our all-expense-paid CE Symposium
A Smarter Way to Work
- No on-call shifts. No late nights. Ever
- Flexible schedules designed around your life and priorities
- Generous paid time off, paid holidays, paid life insurance, and paid parental leave
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and retirement benefits with employer match
- Travel reimbursement that meets policy guidelines
Freedom to Lead, Room to Grow
- Practice with clinical autonomy, supported by a collaborative team
- Step into leadership roles, or develop into them—we’ll back your vision every step of the way
Job Description
You’ll deliver full-scope primary eye care with the support of a dedicated, cheerful team that allows you to focus on what you do best: providing excellent, personalized patient care.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Deliver warm, high-quality care through expert exams and treatment
- Educate and empower patients on eye health and prevention
- Lead with compassion and build a positive, patient-first culture
- Freedom to practice at your comfort level, whether your interests include contact lenses, myopia management, or ocular disease
- Opportunities for professional growth as you expand your expertise
Qualifications
Licensed (or eligible) to practice Optometry in the state where you’ll practice
Additional Information
For more information, please visit the website.
See All 44 Optometrist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optometrist JobsOptometrist Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Optometrist Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Nashville Regional Eye Care PC11N
- Walmart5
- Visionworks5
- LensCrafters4
- HEDA3
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Medical Devices
- Retail
- Insurance
- Consumer Goods
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in optometrist jobs across Tennessee.
- Active Tennessee optometry license issued by the Tennessee Board of Optometry
- Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school
- Ability to perform comprehensive eye exams and diagnose ocular conditions
- Experience with electronic health record systems and practice management software
- Strong patient communication skills across diverse age groups and populations
- Willingness to work across multiple clinic locations or retail practice settings
Optometrist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a optometrist in Tennessee?
To practice as an optometrist in Tennessee, you must obtain a license from the Tennessee Board of Optometry. This requires completing a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited institution, passing all parts of the National Board of Examiners in Optometry exam, and submitting a licensure application with proof of education and exam results. Tennessee also requires completion of continuing education hours for license renewal.
How much do optometrists make in Tennessee?
Optometrists in Tennessee earn a median of about $134,170 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $47,630 for the lowest 10% to over $167,420 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire optometrists in Tennessee?
Employers hiring optometrists in Tennessee right now include Nashville Regional Eye Care PC, Walmart, and Visionworks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Tennessee's mix of retail optical chains, independent private practices, and large integrated health systems means hiring activity stays steady throughout the state year-round.
Which Tennessee cities have the most optometrist jobs?
Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis are the Tennessee cities with the most optometrist openings. Nashville drives the largest share of postings as the state's population and healthcare hub, while Memphis and Knoxville generate consistent demand through their regional medical centers, university-affiliated clinics, and retail optical presence serving large metro populations.
Are there remote optometrist jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Optometry is a hands-on clinical role requiring in-person patient exams, so fully remote positions make up a small portion of total openings. About 40% of optometrist openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, and those positions typically involve telehealth triage, administrative oversight, or vision benefits consulting rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a optometrist in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate optometrist role at a retail optical practice or multi-location group, where supervision and mentorship are built into the model. Tennessee employers like Walmart Vision Centers and regional optical groups regularly hire new graduates. Completing a residency, even a one-year program affiliated with a Tennessee school of optometry, strengthens candidacy considerably. Holding an active Tennessee Board of Optometry license before applying removes the most common barrier for new-grad candidates.
Where can I find and apply to optometrist jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to optometrist jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to see roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 44 Optometrist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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