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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

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What Do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Do?

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Example 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.

Daily Life Of an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

  • Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
  • Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
  • Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
  • Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
  • Control equipment that coats lenses to alter their reflective qualities.
  • Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?

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.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

  • Lens Silverer
  • Hand Lens Polisher
  • Test Technician
  • Grinder
  • Lens Grinder

Job Opportunities for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

There were about 29,100 jobs for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

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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.

Salary for an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician

The average yearly salary of an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician ranges between $22,360 and $50,200.

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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians who work in New Hampshire, Maryland, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

How much do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians make in each U.S. state?

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

What Tools do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Use?

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?

What kind of Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician requirements are there?

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?

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Where Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Those interested in being an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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