Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Salary in Columbia, SC

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

Median annual salary $36,400 -17.4% vs national
Median hourly $17.50
10th percentile $31,470
90th percentile $46,140
Employed locally 300
National median $44,080

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Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,470
    25th
    $36,010
    50th (median)
    $36,400
    75th
    $44,330
    90th
    $46,140

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary vs area income 55% Median Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary is 45% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $101,440
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $65,000
    Duluth, MN-WI $61,880
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $60,810
    Minnesota $60,810
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $58,790

    Nearby metros — Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $55,220
    Wisconsin $50,660
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $50,210
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $49,040
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $48,720
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $46,590

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$80,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$59,980
    Pharmacy Technicians$39,000
    Medical Records Specialists$65,960
    Physicians, All Other$374,300
    Pharmacists$134,730

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Columbia, SC is $17.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.20 or more per hour.

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

    The median Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary in Columbia, SC is 17.4% below the national median of $44,080. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Columbia?

    Entry-level Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $31,470 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,010.