Tennessee Median
$38,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $45,570
State Rank
#40 of 51
1,760 employed here
How much does an Ophthalmic Medical Technician make in Tennessee?
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Tennessee take home a median of $38,890 annually — roughly $18.70 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $45,570.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $32,870 while the top 10% make $60,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,570 and $47,010 a year.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,870 | $15.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,890 | $18.70 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,010 | $22.60 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,170 | $28.93 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Ophthalmic Medical Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in other states
Minnesota $63,080Hawaii $58,240Wisconsin $56,420California $54,490District of Columbia $50,790Vermont $50,090Maryland $50,070Oregon $50,020Alaska $49,970Massachusetts $49,750New Hampshire $49,110New Jersey $49,050Washington $48,840New York $48,440Connecticut $48,270Maine $48,120Montana $47,290Illinois $47,100Arizona $47,040Florida $46,830Michigan $46,750Rhode Island $46,500Colorado $46,260North Dakota $46,190Nebraska $45,210North Carolina $45,150Pennsylvania $45,050Delaware $44,540Iowa $44,030Kansas $43,700Texas $43,640Indiana $43,490South Dakota $42,430Virginia $40,920South Carolina $40,400Ohio $40,350Missouri $40,290Georgia $39,150Kentucky $38,990Louisiana $38,750New Mexico $38,610Idaho $38,280Oklahoma $37,920Nevada $37,660Arkansas $37,340West Virginia $36,730Alabama $36,680Mississippi $36,220Utah $35,950Wyoming $35,740
Working as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician in Tennessee
Nationally, about 71,000 people work as Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($38,890) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ophthalmic Medical Technician make in Tennessee?
The median Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Tennessee is $38,890 per year, or about $18.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,870 at the entry level to $60,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Ophthalmic Medical Technicians about 15% less than the national median of $45,570. Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,890 a year. About 1,760 Ophthalmic Medical Technicians are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.