Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Virginia
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Virginia earn a median of $34,170 a year ($16.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,860 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $39,460. Virginia ranks 38th of 40 states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians pay. There are 0.12 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,670 | $14.74 |
| 25th percentile | $31,780 | $15.28 |
| Median | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| 75th percentile | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $55,860 | $26.86 |
| Average (mean) | $38,280 | $18.40 |
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 | $2,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,423.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,314.23 |
| Weekly | $657.12 |
| Hourly | $16.43 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,570 | 130 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $36,170 | 270 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,340 | $18.44 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $51,900 | $24.95 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,790 | $21.54 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $45,410 | $21.83 |
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 Virginia?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Virginia is $34,170 a year, or $16.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $55,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Virginia?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Virginia earn at least $55,860 a year. The top 25% earn $39,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,670 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $31,780 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Virginia?
About 470 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.