Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in South Carolina
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in South Carolina earn a median of $34,140 a year ($16.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,910 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $39,460. South Carolina ranks 39th of 40 states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians pay. There are 0.06 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $39,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,870 | $11.96 |
| 25th percentile | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| Median | $34,140 | $16.42 |
| 75th percentile | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| Average (mean) | $39,280 | $18.89 |
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 | $2,845 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,422.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,313.08 |
| Weekly | $656.54 |
| Hourly | $16.42 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,280 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $36,400 | 50 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $56,240 | $27.04 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,800 | $24.91 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $69,470 | $33.40 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in South Carolina is $34,140 a year, or $16.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in South Carolina earn at least $68,910 a year. The top 25% earn $47,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,870 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $26,430 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in South Carolina?
About 130 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.