Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $39,460/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +2.3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.
About 2,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
The median pay for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians is $39,460 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
Employment for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians is projected to change +2.3% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.
What education is typically required for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
How many job openings are there each year for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
About 2,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.