Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $35,260 -8.2% vs national
Median hourly $16.95
10th percentile $27,520
90th percentile $70,660
Employed locally 50
National median $38,420

Compare Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,520
    25th
    $27,630
    50th (median)
    $35,260
    75th
    $45,850
    90th
    $70,660

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary vs area income 53% Median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary is 47% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $64,750
    Wisconsin $44,370
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $37,190
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $36,840

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $39,150
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $46,710
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $74,920
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $38,280
    Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $36,130
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $48,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Columbia, SC is $16.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.40 or more per hour.

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

    The median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary in Columbia, SC is 8.2% below 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $27,520 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,630.