Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in North Carolina
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in North Carolina earn a median of $44,140 a year ($21.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,630 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $39,460. North Carolina ranks 14th of 40 states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians pay. There are 0.04 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $44,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Median | $44,140 | $21.22 |
| 75th percentile | $51,340 | $24.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,630 | $27.71 |
| Average (mean) | $44,980 | $21.62 |
Half of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,678.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,839.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,697.69 |
| Weekly | $848.85 |
| Hourly | $21.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $42,280 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,570 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic laboratory technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $62,410 |
| New Hampshire | $59,460 |
| Washington | $49,230 |
| Colorado | $48,540 |
| Rhode Island | $47,440 |
| New Jersey | $47,420 |
| California | $47,410 |
| Maryland | $47,100 |
| Ohio | $46,320 |
| Oregon | $45,780 |
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $39,410 | $18.95 |
| Tire Builder | $63,950 | $30.74 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,050 | $20.70 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,770 | $21.04 |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,140 | $23.63 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9083. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ophthalmic laboratory technician make in North Carolina?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in North Carolina is $44,140 a year, or $21.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in North Carolina earn at least $57,630 a year. The top 25% earn $51,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,890 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $36,640 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in North Carolina?
About 210 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.