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What Does it Take to Be an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician Definition 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
- Repair broken parts, using precision hand tools and soldering irons.
- Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Set dials and start machines to polish lenses or hold lenses against rotating wheels to polish them manually.
- Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
- Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
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Qualities of an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
These are the skills Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Related Job Titles
- Optical Worker
- Hospital Laboratory Technician (Hospital Lab Technician)
- Eyeglass Maker
- Test Technician
- Spotter
Is There Going to be Demand for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
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. There will be an estimated 3,700 positions for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician per 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.
Average Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary
The typical yearly salary for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians is somewhere 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 |
What Tools & Technology 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 to Become an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician
Individuals working as an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician have obtained the following education levels:
What work experience do I need to become an Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician?
Where do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Work?
Below are examples of industries where Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians work:
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References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla via U.S. Air Force photo
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