Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $36,170 a year ($17.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,500 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $39,460. Pay here is 6% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $34,170. There are 0.09 ophthalmic laboratory technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $41,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| 25th percentile | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Median | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| 75th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,500 | $27.16 |
| Average (mean) | $41,560 | $19.98 |
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 | $3,014.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,507.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,391.15 |
| Weekly | $695.58 |
| Hourly | $17.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $47,100 | 260 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $36,570 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $36,230 | 180 |
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 |
See Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,950 | $20.65 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $47,540 | $22.86 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $72,660 | $34.93 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,600 | $22.41 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $65,370 | $31.43 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $36,170 a year, or $17.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of ophthalmic laboratory technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $56,500 a year. The top 25% earn $45,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,900 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn $34,170 or less.
How many ophthalmic laboratory technicians work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 270 ophthalmic laboratory technicians are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.