Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $46,830 +6.2% vs national
Median hourly $22.52
10th percentile $40,680
90th percentile $58,100
Employed locally 70
National median $44,080

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Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,680
    25th
    $40,990
    50th (median)
    $46,830
    75th
    $48,680
    90th
    $58,100

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary vs area income 43% Median Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary is 57% 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $101,440
    Vallejo, CA $57,600
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $55,220
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $52,620
    Ithaca, NY $49,710
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $49,350

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,420
    Physicians, All Other $305,610
    Nurse Practitioners $159,090
    Dental Hygienists $127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Santa Cruz, CA is $22.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.93 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salaries?

    The median Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 6.2% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $40,680 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,990.