Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Illinois
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Illinois earn a median of $36,840 a year ($17.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,990 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $39,460. Illinois ranks 34th of 40 states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians pay. There are 0.14 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $39,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| 25th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Median | $36,840 | $17.71 |
| 75th percentile | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Average (mean) | $39,850 | $19.16 |
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 | $3,070 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,535 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,416.92 |
| Weekly | $708.46 |
| Hourly | $17.71 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $45,620 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $38,740 | 340 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,870 | 520 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $53,560 | $25.75 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $56,400 | $27.11 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,380 | $24.70 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,740 | $23.92 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $68,830 | $33.09 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Illinois is $36,840 a year, or $17.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Illinois?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Illinois earn at least $47,990 a year. The top 25% earn $41,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,300 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $35,980 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Illinois?
About 830 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.