Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in South Carolina
Want to work as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in South Carolina? Below are the key facts. Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters. Excludes “Opticians, Dispensing ” (29-2081).
What do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Make in South Carolina?
The ophthalmic laboratory technicians working in South Carolina, wages run about $38,570 per year (or about $18.55/hour).Annual wages span from $27,530 at the 10th percentile to $70,660 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,530 | $13.23 |
| 25th percentile | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Median (50th) | $38,570 | $18.55 |
| 75th percentile | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| 90th percentile | $70,660 | $33.97 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in South Carolina nationwide is 0.50, suggesting fewer ophthalmic laboratory technicians per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn a median of $37,805 per year ($18.18/hour), above the South Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 764,007 ophthalmic laboratory technicians across the United States. In South Carolina alone, around 140 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 280 ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
Top South Carolina Metros for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
These are the South Carolina metros with the most ophthalmic laboratory technicians in South Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | 50 | $35,260 |
Top States for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Employment
These states have the highest employment of ophthalmic laboratory technicians work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 3,650 |
| Florida | 1,770 |
| California | 1,470 |
| New York | 1,420 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,190 |
| Georgia | 1,040 |
| Minnesota | 1,020 |
| Illinois | 560 |
| Kentucky | 460 |
| Pennsylvania | 450 |
| North Carolina | 420 |
| Virginia | 410 |
| Indiana | 390 |
| Missouri | 350 |
| Colorado | 340 |
| Louisiana | 340 |
| Maryland | 330 |
| Washington | 280 |
| Nevada | 270 |
| Wisconsin | 270 |
Highest-Paying States for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
These states pay the most for ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $60,700 |
| Idaho | $50,880 |
| California | $49,430 |
| Washington | $47,860 |
| Michigan | $47,280 |
| Colorado | $46,320 |
| Maryland | $45,620 |
| Oregon | $45,580 |
| New Hampshire | $44,450 |
| Wisconsin | $44,370 |
Skills
The most important ophthalmic laboratory technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for ophthalmic laboratory technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, ophthalmic laboratory technicians typically:
- Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
- Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
- Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
- Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
- Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
- Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
- Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
- Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
- Position and adjust cutting tools to specified curvature, dimensions, and depth of cut.
- Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Working with Computers
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like ophthalmic laboratory technicians include:
- Photonics Technicians
- Opticians, Dispensing
- Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters
Also Known As
Artificial Glass Eye Maker, Artificial Plastic Eye Maker, Bench Hand, Benchroom Shop Optician, Bevel Polisher, Beveler, Contact Lens Blocker, Contact Lens Blocker and Cutter, Contact Lens Cutter, Contact Lens Lathe Operator, Contact Lens Manufacturer, Contact Lens Technician, Cylinder Grinder, Cylinder Worker, Diamond Grinder.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-9083.00
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