Ophthalmic Medical Technician Salary in Chicago, IL
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $50,010 a year — 10% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,032 take-home, or $3,336 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median ophthalmic medical technician salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,821
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,101
- Medicare (1.45%)$725
- Illinois income tax$2,331
- Take-home pay$40,032
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.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Ophthalmic Medical Technician pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,650 | $17.62 | $29,959 | $2,497 |
| 25th percentile | $39,710 | $19.09 | $32,266 | $2,689 |
| Median (50th) | $50,010 | $24.04 | $40,032 | $3,336 |
| 75th percentile | $50,680 | $24.37 | $40,538 | $3,378 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,560 | $29.12 | $47,987 | $3,999 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $50,010 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 medical technician's $40,032 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,643 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 Medical Technician jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for ophthalmic medical technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $55,100 | $44,074 | $39,155 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $50,010 | $40,032 | $38,643 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ophthalmic medical technician make in Chicago, IL?
The median ophthalmic medical technician salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $50,010 a year, or about $24.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,710 and $50,680.
What is a ophthalmic medical technician’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $50,010 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $40,032 a year ($3,336 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,331 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a ophthalmic medical technician?
Pay here is 10% above the national median of $45,570. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,643 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a ophthalmic medical 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) — 46% of a median ophthalmic medical technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
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- Registered Nurse — $100,490
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- Occupational Therapist — $99,860
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