Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Knoxville, TN
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $39,140 a year ($18.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,980 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $45,570. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $38,890. There are 0.57 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| 25th percentile | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Median | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| 75th percentile | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| Average (mean) | $41,970 | $20.18 |
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 | $3,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,630.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,505.38 |
| Weekly | $752.69 |
| Hourly | $18.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,140 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,010 | 550 |
| Morristown, TN | $39,630 | 50 |
| 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 |
See Ophthalmic Medical Technician pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,960 | $27.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Surgical Technologist | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| Paramedic | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $72,100 | $34.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $39,140 a year, or $18.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $50,980 a year. The top 25% earn $46,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,070 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $36,760 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Knoxville, TN?
About 240 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.