Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in a specialized technical field that combines fine motor work, mechanical ability, and attention to detail. National employment is about 20,000, with projected growth of 2.3% and around 2,000 annual openings, indicating a steady flow of opportunities. The national median salary is $38,420, and some states and metro areas offer higher pay and stronger overall opportunity scores. The role draws on skills such as science, mathematics, computers and information technology, and writing and reading, while also relying on physical strength and stamina. Customer service and interpersonal abilities are also important, reflecting the need to work accurately and effectively with others. For students, career changers, or experienced workers seeking a hands-on technical career with defined skill requirements and a clear national presence, ophthalmic laboratory technician positions offer a structured path supported by measurable employment and wage data across multiple states and metropolitan areas.
The national median annual salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians is $38,420, but pay varies across states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington shows a median salary of $49,230 and Colorado $48,540, while California is $47,410 and New York $42,450. Virginia’s median of $34,170 illustrates that not all high-opportunity-score states are highest paying. Metro data also show differences: San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont reports a median salary of $51,090, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim $50,120, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue $50,770, all above the national median. In contrast, the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro has a median of $38,190 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria $36,170. Overall, earning potential depends strongly on location, with certain West Coast metros and states offering substantially higher median wages within this occupation.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians have national employment of about 20,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 2.3%. The occupation is expected to generate about 2,000 annual openings, suggesting recurring opportunities for new entrants and those changing jobs. The same 2.3% growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a consistent projected growth pattern rather than large regional differences in growth percentages. While the data do not specify the reasons for this growth, the combination of an existing national workforce and ongoing openings points to a stable, established occupation. For individuals considering this path, the employment outlook reflects a moderate expansion of jobs alongside regular replacement needs. This can appeal to job seekers who value a career with measurable, steady projections rather than highly volatile employment patterns, and who are comfortable pursuing opportunities in locations that match their salary and lifestyle goals.
Location plays a significant role in both opportunity and pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians. Among states, California and New York have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores (67.38 and 65.78) and relatively large employment levels of 1,630 and 1,250. Colorado, Washington, and Virginia have smaller employment counts but still notable opportunity scores above 54. Median salaries vary, with Washington ($49,230), Colorado ($48,540), and California ($47,410) above New York ($42,450) and Virginia ($34,170). At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City has the highest opportunity score at 77.27 and employment of 570, though its median salary of $38,190 is below several West Coast metros. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue combine high opportunity scores with median salaries around or above $50,000. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria offers a solid opportunity score with a lower median salary of $36,170. This mix lets you weigh pay, opportunity scores, and employment size when choosing where to focus a job search.
The typical education requirement for ophthalmic laboratory technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent. Within that educational level, the role leans heavily on a defined set of skills. Fine motor and mechanical skills are central, reflecting the hands-on, technical nature of the work. Science and mathematics abilities support accurate, methodical performance, while computers and information technology skills are also important. The occupation emphasizes being detail oriented, along with strong writing and reading skills for understanding and documenting work. Physical strength and stamina are highlighted, indicating that the job can involve sustained physical activity. Customer service and interpersonal skills round out the profile, pointing to regular interaction with others in the workplace or related settings. For students or career changers, this combination shows that success in the field depends less on advanced formal education and more on building and demonstrating this specific mix of technical, cognitive, and people-oriented skills.
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