Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $36,140 a year ($17.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,840 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $45,570. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $38,890. There are 1.4 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,420 | $15.11 |
| 25th percentile | $32,870 | $15.80 |
| Median | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| 75th percentile | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Average (mean) | $37,650 | $18.10 |
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 | $3,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,505.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,390 |
| Weekly | $695 |
| Hourly | $17.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,140 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $48,050 | 920 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,010 | 550 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $44,560 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $42,790 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,510 | 310 |
| Roanoke, VA | $40,560 | 150 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $40,100 | 50 |
| Morristown, TN | $39,630 | 50 |
| Knoxville, TN | $39,140 | 240 |
| Richmond, VA | $39,120 | 350 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,630 | 270 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $37,460 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $37,430 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $37,420 | 60 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,820 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $36,640 | 70 |
| Jackson, TN | $36,620 | 50 |
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Paramedic | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $74,910 | $36.02 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $41,530 | $19.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,110 | $22.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $36,140 a year, or $17.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $48,840 a year. The top 25% earn $38,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,420 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $32,870 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 170 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.