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What Does it Take to Be an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?
Position Description 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.
Life As an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
- Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
- Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
- Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.
- Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Time Management: Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
- Edger Technician
- Contact Lens Cutter
- Lens Fabricating Machine Tender
- Laboratory Operations Coordinator (Lab Operations Coordinator)
- Optical Goods Drill Operator
What Kind of Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 29,100 jobs in the United States for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician are Utah, North Dakota, and Kentucky. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Massachusetts, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician ranges between $22,360 and $50,200.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians who work in New Hampshire, Maryland, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,230 |
| Arizona | $34,010 |
| Arkansas | $29,770 |
| California | $36,400 |
| Colorado | $42,060 |
| Connecticut | $37,240 |
| Florida | $32,490 |
| Georgia | $31,240 |
| Illinois | $38,860 |
| Indiana | $35,880 |
| Iowa | $34,370 |
| Kansas | $30,430 |
| Kentucky | $27,630 |
| Louisiana | $26,240 |
| Maine | $33,640 |
| Maryland | $44,310 |
| Massachusetts | $36,810 |
| Michigan | $34,300 |
| Minnesota | $34,370 |
| Mississippi | $32,550 |
| Missouri | $33,120 |
| Montana | $32,090 |
| Nebraska | $32,550 |
| Nevada | $29,690 |
| New Hampshire | $45,730 |
| New Jersey | $35,000 |
| New Mexico | $33,570 |
| New York | $36,040 |
| North Carolina | $29,870 |
| North Dakota | $33,940 |
| Ohio | $34,680 |
| Oklahoma | $33,550 |
| Oregon | $37,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,130 |
| Rhode Island | $36,710 |
| South Carolina | $33,300 |
| South Dakota | $32,180 |
| Tennessee | $34,240 |
| Texas | $31,050 |
| Utah | $28,570 |
| Vermont | $42,780 |
| Virginia | $33,210 |
| Washington | $38,660 |
| West Virginia | $35,270 |
| Wisconsin | $31,340 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Electronic medical record EMR software
How do I Become an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?
Education needed to be an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician:
What work experience do I need to become an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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