Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Columbia, SC
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $36,400 a year ($17.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,550 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $39,460. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,140. There are 0.13 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,870 | $11.96 |
| 25th percentile | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Median | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 75th percentile | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,550 | $34.40 |
| Average (mean) | $42,830 | $20.59 |
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 | $3,033.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,516.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,400 |
| Weekly | $700 |
| Hourly | $17.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,280 | 60 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,010 | $24.53 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,430 | $24.24 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $34,140 | $16.42 |
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area is $36,400 a year, or $17.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $71,550 a year. The top 25% earn $66,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,870 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $28,410 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Columbia, SC?
About 50 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.