Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary in Iowa
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Iowa earn a median of $44,030 a year ($21.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,610 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $45,570. Iowa ranks 29th of 51 states for ophthalmic medical technicians pay. There are 0.32 ophthalmic medical technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $45,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for ophthalmic medical technicians in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| 25th percentile | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Median | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| 75th percentile | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Average (mean) | $45,940 | $22.09 |
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 | $3,669.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,834.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,693.46 |
| Weekly | $846.73 |
| Hourly | $21.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,030 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 cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,680 | n/a |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $48,570 | 170 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians in Iowa is $44,030 a year, or $21.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid ophthalmic medical technicians make in Iowa?
The top 10% of ophthalmic medical technicians in Iowa earn at least $58,610 a year. The top 25% earn $50,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for ophthalmic medical technicians in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,860 a year, and a quarter of ophthalmic medical technicians earn $39,270 or less.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians work in Iowa?
About 500 ophthalmic medical technicians are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.