Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Virginia
Want to work as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Virginia? 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 Virginia?
The ophthalmic laboratory technicians working in Virginia, the median annual wage is $38,080 per year (or roughly $18.31/hour).Earnings range from $32,580 at the 10th percentile to $59,630 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $32,580 | $15.66 |
| 25th percentile | $34,240 | $16.46 |
| Median (50th) | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| 75th percentile | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| 90th percentile | $59,630 | $28.67 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Virginia nationwide is 0.82, meaning 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 Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 764,007 ophthalmic laboratory technicians across the United States. In Virginia alone, about 410 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 280 ophthalmic laboratory technicians.
Top Virginia Metros for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 110 | $36,100 |
Top States for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Employment
The table below shows the states where the most 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
The highest-paying states 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
Key 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
The abilities that matter most for ophthalmic laboratory technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science
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Related Careers
Related occupations to 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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