Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Salary in Des Moines, IA

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

Median annual salary $47,200 +7.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.69
10th percentile $36,480
90th percentile $56,830
Employed locally 220
National median $44,080

Compare Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Des Moines, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,480
    25th
    $39,560
    50th (median)
    $47,200
    75th
    $49,100
    90th
    $56,830

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary vs area income 56% Median Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary is 44% 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
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $49,710
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $48,240
    California $47,940
    Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL $47,600
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $47,570
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $46,590

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $78,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,120
    Pharmacy Technicians $43,610
    Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $47,630
    Medical Records Specialists $52,370
    Physical Therapists $98,110

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Des Moines, IA is $22.69, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.18 or more per hour.

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

    The median Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary in Des Moines, IA is 7.1% above 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $36,480 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,560.