Careers · Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians · Virginia
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Virginia
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians cut, grind, and polish lenses for eyeglasses and contact lenses, then assemble them into frames or process other optical elements. They work in laboratories using precision equipment, following prescriptions and quality standards to create corrective lenses that meet exact specifications. In Virginia the median pay is $34,170 a year, 13% below the national median of $39,460.
$34,170median pay in Virginia, per year
$31,780–$39,020middle half earn
470employed in Virginia
$39,460U.S. median, for comparison
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against ophthalmic laboratory technicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against ophthalmic laboratory technicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
What it takes
Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Operation and ControlOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisTime ManagementReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalMathematics (knowledge)Customer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementEnglish Language
Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians.
Licenses and training in Virginia
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians pay in other states
Connecticut · $62,410New Hampshire · $59,460Washington · $49,230Colorado · $48,540Rhode Island · $47,440New Jersey · $47,420California · $47,410Maryland · $47,100Ohio · $46,320Oregon · $45,780
Related occupations
Dental Laboratory TechniciansMedical Appliance TechniciansChemical Equipment Operators and TendersSeparating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersCrushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersGrinding and Polishing Workers, HandMixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersCutters and Trimmers, Hand
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against ophthalmic laboratory technicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against ophthalmic laboratory technicians and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 51-9083.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Virginia, annual.