Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $44,840 -3.7% vs national
Median hourly $21.56
10th percentile $30,420
90th percentile $63,150
Employed locally 130
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,420
    25th
    $36,750
    50th (median)
    $44,840
    75th
    $57,960
    90th
    $63,150

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 65% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 35% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Opticians, Dispensing

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $72,750
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $68,790
    Barnstable Town, MA $66,880
    New Jersey $66,250
    Watertown-Fort Drum, NY $65,870
    New Haven, CT $64,990

    Nearby metros — Opticians, Dispensing salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Johnson City, TN $50,580
    Morristown, TN $49,450
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $48,940
    Knoxville, TN $47,120
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $46,680
    Clarksville, TN-KY $45,770

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $76,870
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $57,540
    Nurse Practitioners $107,890
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,200
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $48,100
    Pharmacists $130,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $21.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.94 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 3.7% below the national median of $46,560. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Opticians, Dispensing in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $30,420 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,750.