Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Salary in 2026
How Much Do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Make?
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians earn a median annual salary of $38,420 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $31,250 at the 10th percentile to $55,480 at the 90th percentile — a range of $24,230. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $60,700.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,250 |
| 25th percentile | $35,580 |
| Median (50th) | $38,420 |
| 75th percentile | $45,410 |
| 90th percentile | $55,480 |
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $60,700 |
| Idaho | $50,880 |
| California | $49,430 |
| Washington | $47,860 |
| Michigan | $47,280 |
| Colorado | $46,320 |
| Maryland | $45,620 |
| Oregon | $45,580 |
| New Hampshire | $44,450 |
| Wisconsin | $44,370 |
| Georgia | $44,000 |
| Arizona | $43,090 |
| Massachusetts | $42,770 |
| Ohio | $42,760 |
| Nebraska | $40,670 |
| Minnesota | $40,500 |
| Montana | $38,690 |
| Nevada | $38,690 |
| South Carolina | $38,570 |
| Indiana | $38,280 |
| Arkansas | $38,090 |
| Virginia | $38,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,940 |
| Missouri | $37,480 |
| Texas | $37,350 |
| New Mexico | $37,180 |
| Illinois | $37,170 |
| New York | $37,030 |
| Tennessee | $36,610 |
| Florida | $36,450 |
| Louisiana | $36,360 |
| North Carolina | $36,120 |
| Oklahoma | $35,940 |
| Kentucky | $35,500 |
| Alabama | $34,820 |
| Kansas | $34,700 |
| New Jersey | $34,680 |
| Iowa | $33,770 |
| Mississippi | $28,930 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$31,250 – $35,580 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$38,420 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$45,410 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $55,480+ |
How to Earn More as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $64,750 — $26,330 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($45,410) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianthis career | $38,420 |
| Photonics Technician | $77,390 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,560 |
| Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairer | $49,300 |
| Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assembler | $61,680 |
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SOC: 51-9083.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.