Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Tennessee
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $37,370 a year ($17.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,750 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $39,460. Tennessee ranks 28th of 40 states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians pay. There are 0.04 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $40,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,880 | $16.29 |
| 25th percentile | $36,430 | $17.51 |
| Median | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| 75th percentile | $41,140 | $19.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Average (mean) | $40,570 | $19.51 |
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 | $3,114.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,557.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,437.31 |
| Weekly | $718.65 |
| Hourly | $17.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $43,270 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $60,960 | $29.31 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,470 | $24.26 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Tire Builder | $74,100 | $35.63 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,030 | $21.17 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Tennessee is $37,370 a year, or $17.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Tennessee earn at least $51,750 a year. The top 25% earn $41,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,880 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $36,430 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Tennessee?
About 130 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.