How to Become An Optician in Tennessee
Tennessee employs approximately 1,530 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,840 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an optician in Tennessee, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Optician in Tennessee
How do I become an optician in Tennessee? Tennessee requires credentials such as DISPENSING OPTICIANS. The licensing authority is the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience.
Do I need a license in Tennessee? Yes. Tennessee has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Tennessee? The median annual wage for opticians in Tennessee is $49,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,740 and experienced professionals can earn $74,160 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards
- Median wage (Tennessee): $49,840 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Optician License Requirements in Tennessee
The Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards oversees optician licensing in Tennessee.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| DISPENSING OPTICIANS | DISPENSING OPTICIANS Opticians make and dispense eyeglasses/contact lenses from a doctor’s prescription. They can also fit eye glasses to the face. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Background check required
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 3.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 440 | $52,300 | $54,980 | $37,590 | $76,850 |
| Memphis | 220 | $47,620 | $49,320 | $32,870 | $76,850 |
| Knoxville | 190 | $49,050 | $51,920 | $36,510 | $70,730 |
| Chattanooga | 130 | $47,140 | $49,920 | $36,180 | $68,520 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 110 | $38,510 | $44,860 | $32,490 | $67,550 |
| Clarksville | 60 | $47,660 | $50,300 | $31,030 | $68,740 |
| Jackson | 60 | $47,480 | $48,140 | $31,030 | $72,180 |
| Johnson City | 60 | $51,010 | $52,240 | $35,260 | $72,360 |
| Morristown | 50 | $51,770 | $51,220 | $35,920 | $67,270 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Opticians in Tennessee
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Tennessee according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin | 440 | $52,300 |
| Memphis | 220 | $47,620 |
| Knoxville | 190 | $49,050 |
| Chattanooga | 130 | $47,140 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 110 | $38,510 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Tennessee? Tennessee currently employs approximately 1,530 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Tennessee with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health - Division of Health Related Boards for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Tennessee.
How much do opticians earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Tennessee is $49,840, which is $3,280 above the national median of $46,560 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |