Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in California
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in California earn a median of $54,490 a year ($26.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,700 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $45,570. California ranks 4th of 51 states for ophthalmic medical technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.14 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.30). The average (mean) salary is $63,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| 25th percentile | $44,810 | $21.54 |
| Median | $54,490 | $26.20 |
| 75th percentile | $74,950 | $36.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,700 | $48.89 |
| Average (mean) | $63,030 | $30.30 |
Half of ophthalmic medical 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 | $4,540.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,270.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,095.77 |
| Weekly | $1,047.88 |
| Hourly | $26.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $102,540 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,300 | 420 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,600 | n/a |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,440 | 310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $51,300 | 340 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $49,460 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,680 | 210 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,850 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,500 | 80 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $44,810 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,080 |
| Hawaii | $58,240 |
| Wisconsin | $56,420 |
| California | $54,490 |
| District of Columbia | $50,790 |
| Vermont | $50,090 |
| Maryland | $50,070 |
| Oregon | $50,020 |
| Alaska | $49,970 |
| Massachusetts | $49,750 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2057. 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 medical technician make in California?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in California is $54,490 a year, or $26.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in California?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in California earn at least $101,700 a year. The top 25% earn $74,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,780 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $44,810 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in California?
About 2,500 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.