Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $39,150 +1.9% vs national
Median hourly $18.82
10th percentile $35,090
90th percentile $49,350
National median $38,420

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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,090
    25th
    $37,150
    50th (median)
    $39,150
    75th
    $42,110
    90th
    $49,350

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary vs area income 44% Median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary is 56% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $64,750
    Connecticut $60,700
    Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area $60,160
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $55,990
    Idaho $50,880
    Boise City, ID $50,880

    Nearby metros — Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Peoria, IL $45,620
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $44,990
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $41,210
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $41,000
    St. Louis, MO-IL $37,480
    Illinois $37,170

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $47,330
    Machinists $57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Chicago, IL-IN is $18.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.32 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salaries?

    The median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 1.9% above the national median of $38,420. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Chicago?

    Entry-level Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $35,090 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,150.