Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $35,250 -8.3% vs national
Median hourly $16.95
10th percentile $31,580
90th percentile $54,880
Employed locally 60
National median $38,420

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Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,580
    25th
    $33,640
    50th (median)
    $35,250
    75th
    $47,450
    90th
    $54,880

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary vs area income 42% Median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary is 58% 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
    California $49,430
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $47,100
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $46,450
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $45,620
    Peoria, IL $45,620
    Georgia $44,000

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $43,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $69,590
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $49,200
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $50,950
    Butchers and Meat Cutters $36,140
    Bakers $36,460

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Des Moines, IA is $16.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.38 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salaries?

    The median Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary in Des Moines, IA is 8.3% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $31,580 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $33,640.