California Median
$54,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $45,570
State Rank
#4 of 51
2,500 employed here
How much does an Ophthalmic Medical Technician make in California?
An Ophthalmic Medical Technician working in California earns a median salary of $54,490 per year, or about $26.20 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $45,570 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,780 while the top 10% make $101,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,810 and $74,950 a year.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,780 | $18.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,810 | $21.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,490 | $26.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,950 | $36.03 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,700 | $48.89 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Ophthalmic Medical Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in other states
Minnesota $63,080Hawaii $58,240Wisconsin $56,420District of Columbia $50,790Vermont $50,090Maryland $50,070Oregon $50,020Alaska $49,970Massachusetts $49,750New Hampshire $49,110New Jersey $49,050Washington $48,840New York $48,440Connecticut $48,270Maine $48,120Montana $47,290Illinois $47,100Arizona $47,040Florida $46,830Michigan $46,750Rhode Island $46,500Colorado $46,260North Dakota $46,190Nebraska $45,210North Carolina $45,150Pennsylvania $45,050Delaware $44,540Iowa $44,030Kansas $43,700Texas $43,640Indiana $43,490South Dakota $42,430Virginia $40,920South Carolina $40,400Ohio $40,350Missouri $40,290Georgia $39,150Kentucky $38,990Tennessee $38,890Louisiana $38,750New Mexico $38,610Idaho $38,280Oklahoma $37,920Nevada $37,660Arkansas $37,340West Virginia $36,730Alabama $36,680Mississippi $36,220Utah $35,950Wyoming $35,740
Working as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician in California
Nationally, about 71,000 people work as Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($54,490) 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 Medical Technician make in California?
The median Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in California is $54,490 per year, or about $26.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,780 at the entry level to $101,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Ophthalmic Medical Technicians about 20% more than the national median of $45,570. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $54,490 a year. About 2,500 Ophthalmic Medical 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 Medical 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.