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.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
SOC: 51-9083 O*NET: 51-9083.00
Median Salary
$38,420
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,250
10th percentile
Early Career
$35,580
25th percentile
Median
$38,420
50th percentile
Experienced
$45,410
75th percentile
Top Earners
$55,480
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,250
25th
$35,580
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$38,420
Mean: $41,760
75th
$45,410
90th
$55,480
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $24,230 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $35,580 and $45,410
- •Salary spread is 25.6% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 18,740 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:19,600
Top Industries
Manufacturing41.5%
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing34.3%
Miscellaneous Manufacturing34.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.3%
Annual Openings:2,400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)19,600
Current
2034 (Projected)20,000
+2.3%
+500
Employment Change
+2.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 39 locations
Texas
3,650 jobs$37,3502.17x
Florida
1,770 jobs$36,4501.49x
California
1,470 jobs$49,4300.67x
New York
1,420 jobs$37,0301.23x
Georgia
1,040 jobs$44,0001.76x
Minnesota
1,020 jobs$40,5002.87x
Illinois
560 jobs$37,1700.76x
Kentucky
460 jobs$35,5001.91x
Pennsylvania
450 jobs$37,9400.62x
North Carolina
420 jobs$36,1200.71x
Virginia
410 jobs$38,0800.82x
Indiana
390 jobs$38,2801.01x
Missouri
350 jobs$37,4800.99x
Colorado
340 jobs$46,3200.96x
Louisiana
340 jobs$36,3601.45x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operation and Control
100%
#2
Operations Monitoring
92%
#3
Quality Control Analysis
82%
#4
Time Management
74%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
#6
Reading Comprehension
58%
#7
Monitoring
48%
#8
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Operation and Control
advanced5.0
100%
Operations Monitoring
advanced4.6
92%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate4.1
82%
Time Management
intermediate3.7
74%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic2.9
58%
Monitoring
basic2.4
48%
Critical Thinking
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operation and Control
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance58%
abilities
2.9/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas75%
5 shared skills
Crane and Tower Operators70%
5 shared skills
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic70%
5 shared skills
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic70%
5 shared skills
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Learn on the Job:
- →Judgment and Decision Making
- →Reading Comprehension
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
- ✓Operation and Control
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (18)
1
Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.66
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.35
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.22
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.91
Concern for Others
ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level3.89
Persistence
ImportantPersistence
Importance Level3.82
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Self-Control
3.9
Concern for Others
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Achievement/Effort
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.8
Initiative
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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