Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters.

Salary by State

State Name	Employment	Annual Salary	Hourly Salary
Alabama	90	$26,260	$12.62
Arizona	300	$43,480	$20.91
Arkansas	60	$31,660	$15.22
California	2,890	$46,000	$22.11
Colorado	380	$44,370	$21.33
Connecticut	420	$50,870	$24.46
Florida	1,770	$35,270	$16.96
Georgia	820	$36,380	$17.49
Idaho	80	$43,640	$20.98
Illinois	380	$37,610	$18.08
Indiana	520	$33,480	$16.10
Iowa	50	$36,090	$17.35
Kansas		$30,910	$14.86
Kentucky	680	$31,100	$14.95
Louisiana	280	$34,760	$16.71
Maryland		$42,450	$20.41
Massachusetts		$41,310	$19.86
Michigan	410	$36,870	$17.73
Minnesota	860	$38,570	$18.54
Mississippi	250	$33,360	$16.04
Missouri		$38,900	$18.70
Nebraska		$36,100	$17.36
Nevada	190	$31,880	$15.33
New Hampshire	200	$57,090	$27.45
New Jersey		$44,890	$21.58
New Mexico	40	$36,460	$17.53
New York	1,650	$38,880	$18.69
North Carolina	160	$33,790	$16.25
Ohio	530	$39,160	$18.83
Oklahoma	350	$32,840	$15.79
Oregon	240	$38,120	$18.33
Pennsylvania	460	$37,350	$17.96
South Carolina	310	$35,960	$17.29
South Dakota	30	$32,740	$15.74
Tennessee	200	$30,710	$14.76
Texas	980	$33,520	$16.12
Vermont	60	$44,330	$21.31
Virginia	460	$36,540	$17.57
Washington		$46,240	$22.23
West Virginia	70	$31,940	$15.36
Wisconsin	430	$39,280	$18.89

Education

The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.

A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of ophthalmologists and optometrists, to cut, grind, edge, and finish corrective lenses and to fabricate eyewear. Includes instruction in optical theory, applied mathematics, lens surfacing and finishing, tinting and coating, impact resistance treatment and testing, frame construction and repair, prescription interpretation, equipment operation and maintenance, follow-up adjustment, record-keeping, and laboratory safety procedures.