EN

Occupation · SOC 51-9083

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

There are 18,660 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $39,460 a year. The most jobs are in Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
18,660
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$39,460
Median pay a year
Middle half: $36,470–$47,010
2,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 57 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $38,280 · LCA filings 01,940$38,2800
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $50,120 · LCA filings 0870$50,1200
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $45,870 · LCA filings 0830$45,8700
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $41,780 · LCA filings 0570$41,7800
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $38,190 · LCA filings 0570$38,1900
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $36,870 · LCA filings 0520$36,8700
St. Cloud, MNMedian pay $39,370 · LCA filings 0520$39,3700
Rochester, NYMedian pay $45,420 · LCA filings 0490$45,4200
San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXMedian pay $37,920 · LCA filings 0440$37,9200
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLMedian pay $37,340 · LCA filings 0370$37,3400

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$52,5101200
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 180 · LCA filings 0$51,0901800
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 190 · LCA filings 0$50,7701900
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployment 870 · LCA filings 0$50,1208700
Eugene–Springfield, OREmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$48,860300

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $36,733 · Level III $39,915 · Level IV $43,098$33,550$36,733$39,915$43,098
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $48,069 · Level III $57,366 · Level IV $66,685$38,750$48,069$57,366$66,685
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $39,270 · Level III $43,285 · Level IV $47,278$35,277$39,270$43,285$47,278
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $40,643 · Level III $43,597 · Level IV $46,530$37,710$40,643$43,597$46,530
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $38,938 · Level III $41,621 · Level IV $44,304$36,254$38,938$41,621$44,304
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $37,898 · Level III $40,040 · Level IV $42,162$35,776$37,898$40,040$42,162
St. Cloud, MNLevel II $37,814 · Level III $40,789 · Level IV $43,742$34,861$37,814$40,789$43,742
Rochester, NYLevel II $41,496 · Level III $44,283 · Level IV $47,070$38,709$41,496$44,283$47,070
San Antonio–New Braunfels, TXLevel II $36,546 · Level III $38,126 · Level IV $39,728$34,944$36,546$38,126$39,728
Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLLevel II $37,003 · Level III $39,874 · Level IV $42,744$34,133$37,003$39,874$42,744

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.18OPT · up to 12 months21OPT · up to 12 months

See Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in every metro area

All 57 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

See every metro area →

Find jobs on Where They Hire

U.S. jobsJobs abroadCompanies

Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology