Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $36,870 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,125 take-home, or $2,510 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median ophthalmic laboratory technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,244
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,286
- Medicare (1.45%)$535
- Illinois income tax$1,680
- Take-home pay$30,125
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,630 | $17.13 | $29,190 | $2,432 |
| 25th percentile | $36,450 | $17.52 | $29,808 | $2,484 |
| Median (50th) | $36,870 | $17.73 | $30,125 | $2,510 |
| 75th percentile | $41,080 | $19.75 | $33,299 | $2,775 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,510 | $23.32 | $38,901 | $3,242 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,870 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median ophthalmic laboratory technician's $30,125 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,079 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for ophthalmic laboratory technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #8 of 9 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester, NY | $45,420 | $36,819 | $37,944 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $45,870 | $37,279 | $37,257 |
| 3 | St. Cloud, MN | $39,370 | $32,526 | $37,117 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,120 | $40,743 | $35,876 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $37,920 | $32,649 | $34,470 |
| 6 | Minneapolis, MN | $41,780 | $34,334 | $32,754 |
| 7 | Dallas, TX | $38,280 | $32,938 | $31,951 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $36,870 | $30,125 | $29,079 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 9 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ophthalmic laboratory technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median ophthalmic laboratory technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,870 a year, or about $17.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,450 and $41,080.
What is a ophthalmic laboratory technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $36,870 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $30,125 a year ($2,510 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,680 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a ophthalmic laboratory technician?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $39,460. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,079 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #8 of 9 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a ophthalmic laboratory technician afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median ophthalmic laboratory technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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