Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,610 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $45,570. Pay here is 10% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $44,030. There are 0.42 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,890, close to the median.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| 25th percentile | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Median | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 75th percentile | $50,740 | $24.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Average (mean) | $46,890 | $22.55 |
Half of ophthalmic medical 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 | $4,047.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,023.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,868.08 |
| Weekly | $934.04 |
| Hourly | $23.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,680 | n/a |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $47,270 | 220 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,610 | 90 |
| Iowa City, IA | $42,730 | 30 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $39,270 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic medical technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,080 |
| Hawaii | $58,240 |
| Wisconsin | $56,420 |
| California | $54,490 |
| District of Columbia | $50,790 |
| Vermont | $50,090 |
| Maryland | $50,070 |
| Oregon | $50,020 |
| Alaska | $49,970 |
| Massachusetts | $49,750 |
See Ophthalmic Medical Technician pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2057. 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 medical technician make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $48,570 a year, or $23.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $58,610 a year. The top 25% earn $50,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,760 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $40,840 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 170 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.