Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $50,010 a year ($24.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,560 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $45,570. Pay here is 6% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $47,100. There are 0.53 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,520, close to the median.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 25th percentile | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Median | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| 75th percentile | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,560 | $29.11 |
| Average (mean) | $48,520 | $23.33 |
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 | $4,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,083.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.46 |
| Weekly | $961.73 |
| Hourly | $24.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $46,230 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $45,940 | 90 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,610 | 90 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,230 | 720 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $44,110 | 570 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $43,990 | 130 |
| Springfield, IL | $41,650 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $41,410 | 750 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,440 | 530 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $38,990 | 60 |
| Muncie, IN | $38,340 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $38,130 | 100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $37,050 | 40 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 | $37.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| Paramedic | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Surgical Technologist | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $100,730 | $48.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $50,010 a year, or $24.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $60,560 a year. The top 25% earn $50,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,650 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $39,710 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,390 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.