Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in California
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in California earn a median of $47,410 a year ($22.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,960 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $39,460. California ranks 7th of 40 states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians pay. There are 0.09 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $54,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $40,300 | $19.37 |
| Median | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| 75th percentile | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,960 | $38.44 |
| Average (mean) | $54,790 | $26.34 |
Half of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,950.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,975.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,823.46 |
| Weekly | $911.73 |
| Hourly | $22.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $51,090 | 180 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $50,120 | 870 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,470 | 110 |
| Modesto, CA | $40,570 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $62,410 |
| New Hampshire | $59,460 |
| Washington | $49,230 |
| Colorado | $48,540 |
| Rhode Island | $47,440 |
| New Jersey | $47,420 |
| California | $47,410 |
| Maryland | $47,100 |
| Ohio | $46,320 |
| Oregon | $45,780 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $54,300 | $26.11 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $43,970 | $21.14 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,640 | $24.34 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| Semiconductor Processing Technician | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $47,410 | $22.80 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $49,190 | $23.65 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9083. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ophthalmic laboratory technician make in California?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in California is $47,410 a year, or $22.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in California?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in California earn at least $79,960 a year. The top 25% earn $70,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,230 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $40,300 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in California?
About 1,630 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.