California Median
$47,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $39,460
State Rank
#7 of 40
1,630 employed here
How much does an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician make in California?
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in California take home a median of $47,410 annually — roughly $22.79 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $39,460.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,230 while the top 10% make $79,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,300 and $70,410 a year.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,230 | $18.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,300 | $19.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,410 | $22.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $70,410 | $33.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,960 | $38.44 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 40 states and territories for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in other states
Connecticut $62,410New Hampshire $59,460Washington $49,230Colorado $48,540Rhode Island $47,440New Jersey $47,420Maryland $47,100Ohio $46,320Oregon $45,780Michigan $45,490Georgia $45,050Kansas $44,920North Carolina $44,140Maine $43,520Massachusetts $43,100Wisconsin $42,920New York $42,450Nebraska $40,640Minnesota $40,280Nevada $38,990Missouri $38,740Arizona $38,620New Mexico $38,590Florida $38,020Texas $37,920Pennsylvania $37,680Tennessee $37,370Indiana $37,360Louisiana $37,160West Virginia $37,140Arkansas $37,060Alabama $37,010Illinois $36,840Kentucky $36,650Oklahoma $35,620Mississippi $35,230Virginia $34,170South Carolina $34,140Iowa $33,910
Working as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician in California
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($47,410) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician make in California?
The median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in California is $47,410 per year, or about $22.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,230 at the entry level to $79,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians about 20% more than the national median of $39,460. California ranks 7th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,410 a year. About 1,630 Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.