Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $37,430 a year ($18.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,230 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $45,570. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $38,890. There are 0.54 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,760 | $16.71 |
| 25th percentile | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Median | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 75th percentile | $43,310 | $20.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Average (mean) | $40,250 | $19.35 |
Half of ophthalmic medical 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 | $3,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,559.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,439.62 |
| Weekly | $719.81 |
| Hourly | $18.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,010 | 550 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $40,980 | 40 |
| Savannah, GA | $40,010 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $39,630 | 50 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $39,150 | 1,540 |
| Knoxville, TN | $39,140 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,630 | 270 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,420 | 60 |
| Valdosta, GA | $37,360 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $37,300 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $36,640 | 70 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,620 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,140 | 170 |
| Albany, GA | $36,030 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $35,140 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,080 |
| Hawaii | $58,240 |
| Wisconsin | $56,420 |
| California | $54,490 |
| District of Columbia | $50,790 |
| Vermont | $50,090 |
| Maryland | $50,070 |
| Oregon | $50,020 |
| Alaska | $49,970 |
| Massachusetts | $49,750 |
See Ophthalmic Medical Technician pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Paramedic | $53,220 | $25.59 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $78,670 | $37.82 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $77,700 | $37.36 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2057. 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 medical technician make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $37,430 a year, or $18.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $50,230 a year. The top 25% earn $43,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,760 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $36,680 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 140 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.