Iowa Median
$33,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $39,460
State Rank
#40 of 40
100 employed here
How much does an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician make in Iowa?
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Iowa take home a median of $33,910 annually — roughly $16.30 an hour — which runs 14% below the national median of $39,460.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $30,360 while the top 10% make $52,690 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,360 and $37,140 a year.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,360 | $14.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,360 | $14.60 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $33,910 | $16.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,690 | $25.33 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 40th 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 $47,420California $47,410Maryland $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 $34,140
Working as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician in Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($33,910) 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 Iowa?
The median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Iowa is $33,910 per year, or about $16.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,360 at the entry level to $52,690 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians about 14% less than the national median of $39,460. Iowa ranks 40th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $33,910 a year. About 100 Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary report
Related salaries
$46,680
median pay · 77,000 employed
$43,960
median pay · 32,000 employed
$50,690
median pay · 169,000 employed
$51,810
median pay · 5,000 employed
$41,640
median pay · 14,000 employed
$42,290
median pay · 33,000 employed
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.