Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $39,460 · Median hourly: $18.97 · Employment: 18,660
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,530 | $16.12 |
| 25th | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Median | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| 75th | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| 90th | $57,380 | $27.59 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 51-9083
- Total U.S. employment: 18,660
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $33,530, median pay is $39,460, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $57,380.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $33,530, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $57,380 — a 1.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $37,010 | $17.80 | -6.2% | 190 |
| Arizona | $38,620 | $18.57 | -2.1% | 150 |
| Arkansas | $37,060 | $17.82 | -6.1% | 170 |
| California | $47,410 | $22.79 | +20.1% | 1,630 |
| Colorado | $48,540 | $23.34 | +23.0% | 320 |
| Connecticut | $62,410 | $30.01 | +58.2% | 170 |
| Florida | $38,020 | $18.28 | -3.6% | 1,230 |
| Georgia | $45,050 | $21.66 | +14.2% | 960 |
| Idaho | — | — | — | 40 |
| Illinois | $36,840 | $17.71 | -6.6% | 830 |
| Indiana | $37,360 | $17.96 | -5.3% | 330 |
| Iowa | $33,910 | $16.30 | -14.1% | 100 |
| Kansas | $44,920 | $21.60 | +13.8% | 0 |
| Kentucky | $36,650 | $17.62 | -7.1% | 610 |
| Louisiana | $37,160 | $17.86 | -5.8% | 300 |
| Maine | $43,520 | $20.92 | +10.3% | 50 |
| Maryland | $47,100 | $22.64 | +19.4% | 360 |
| Massachusetts | $43,100 | $20.72 | +9.2% | 0 |
| Michigan | $45,490 | $21.87 | +15.3% | 330 |
| Minnesota | $40,280 | $19.37 | +2.1% | 1,110 |
| Mississippi | $35,230 | $16.94 | -10.7% | 220 |
| Missouri | $38,740 | $18.62 | -1.8% | 360 |
| Nebraska | $40,640 | $19.54 | +3.0% | 170 |
| Nevada | $38,990 | $18.74 | -1.2% | 240 |
| New Hampshire | $59,460 | $28.59 | +50.7% | 180 |
| New Jersey | $47,420 | $22.80 | +20.2% | 0 |
| New Mexico | $38,590 | $18.55 | -2.2% | 130 |
| New York | $42,450 | $20.41 | +7.6% | 1,250 |
| North Carolina | $44,140 | $21.22 | +11.9% | 210 |
| Ohio | $46,320 | $22.27 | +17.4% | 560 |
| Oklahoma | $35,620 | $17.12 | -9.7% | 210 |
| Oregon | $45,780 | $22.01 | +16.0% | 250 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,680 | $18.12 | -4.5% | 510 |
| Rhode Island | $47,440 | $22.81 | +20.2% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $34,140 | $16.42 | -13.5% | 130 |
| Tennessee | $37,370 | $17.97 | -5.3% | 130 |
| Texas | $37,920 | $18.23 | -3.9% | 3,380 |
| Virginia | $34,170 | $16.43 | -13.4% | 470 |
| Washington | $49,230 | $23.67 | +24.8% | 260 |
| West Virginia | $37,140 | $17.86 | -5.9% | 0 |
| Wisconsin | $42,920 | $20.64 | +8.8% | 200 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/yr
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
The median annual wage for ophthalmic laboratory technicians is $39,460 ($18.97 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays ophthalmic laboratory technicians the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 18,660 ophthalmic laboratory technicians employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do ophthalmic laboratory technicians make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $18.97. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.