Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Tennessee
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Tennessee earn a median of $38,890 a year ($18.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,170 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $45,570. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for ophthalmic medical technicians pay. There are 0.54 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,870 | $15.80 |
| 25th percentile | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Median | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 75th percentile | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Average (mean) | $43,190 | $20.77 |
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 | $3,240.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,620.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,495.77 |
| Weekly | $747.88 |
| Hourly | $18.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,010 | 550 |
| Morristown, TN | $39,630 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $39,140 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,630 | 270 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $37,430 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,420 | 60 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $36,640 | 70 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,620 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,140 | 170 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in Tennessee is $38,890 a year, or $18.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in Tennessee earn at least $60,170 a year. The top 25% earn $47,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,870 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $36,570 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Tennessee?
About 1,760 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.