Opticians, Dispensing salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $47,140 a year ($22.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,520 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,840. There are 0.49 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $49,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| 25th percentile | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Median | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| 75th percentile | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| Average (mean) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
Half of opticians, dispensing 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 | $3,928.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,964.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,813.08 |
| Weekly | $906.54 |
| Hourly | $22.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,300 | 440 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $51,890 | 1,380 |
| Morristown, TN | $51,770 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,010 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,050 | 190 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,660 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,620 | 220 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,480 | 60 |
| Savannah, GA | $46,440 | 100 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $46,250 | 70 |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,310 | 50 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,870 | 40 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $44,810 | 30 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,700 | 150 |
| Valdosta, GA | $44,220 | 30 |
| Albany, GA | $39,670 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $39,450 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,510 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
See Opticians, Dispensing 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 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 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 29-2081. 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 opticians, dispensing make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $47,140 a year, or $22.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $68,520 a year. The top 25% earn $59,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,180 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $37,430 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 130 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.