Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $43,270 a year ($20.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,130 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $39,460. Pay here is 16% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $37,370. There are 0.14 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,090, close to the median.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,050 | $15.89 |
| 25th percentile | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Median | $43,270 | $20.80 |
| 75th percentile | $43,270 | $20.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,130 | $26.02 |
| Average (mean) | $42,090 | $20.23 |
Half of ophthalmic laboratory technicians 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 | $3,605.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,802.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,664.23 |
| Weekly | $832.12 |
| Hourly | $20.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $45,870 | 830 |
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $62,410 |
| New Hampshire | $59,460 |
| Washington | $49,230 |
| Colorado | $48,540 |
| Rhode Island | $47,440 |
| New Jersey | $47,420 |
| California | $47,410 |
| Maryland | $47,100 |
| Ohio | $46,320 |
| Oregon | $45,780 |
See Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,000 | $24.04 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,980 | $20.18 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | $43,920 | $21.12 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9083. 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 ophthalmic laboratory technician make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $43,270 a year, or $20.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $54,130 a year. The top 25% earn $43,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,050 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $35,300 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 40 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.