Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $36,870 a year ($17.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,510 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $39,460. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $36,840. There are 0.12 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 25th percentile | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Median | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 75th percentile | $41,080 | $19.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Average (mean) | $40,050 | $19.26 |
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 | $3,072.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,536.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,418.08 |
| Weekly | $709.04 |
| Hourly | $17.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $45,620 | 90 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $38,770 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,740 | 340 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $28,890 | 140 |
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 |
See Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,910 | $23.51 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,650 | $22.43 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,870 a year, or $17.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $48,510 a year. The top 25% earn $41,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,630 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $36,450 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 520 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.