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Salary comparison

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss out-earn Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss by $35K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss land at $39,460 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss at $74,450. The education gap is real: ophthalmic laboratory technician programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss is Connecticut ($62,410); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$39,460
$74,450
Hourly rate
$18.97/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,530
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$57,380
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
18,660
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Connecticut
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians median pay.

State
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Connecticut
$62,410
$83,150
New Hampshire
$59,460
$79,310
Washington
$49,230
$79,310
Colorado
$48,540
$78,890
Rhode Island
$47,440
$81,650
New Jersey
$47,420
$81,110
California
$47,410
$76,840
Maryland
$47,100
$78,520
Maine
$43,520
$78,970
Massachusetts
$43,100
$79,920
New York
$42,450
$78,580
Minnesota
$40,280
$78,550
Arizona
$38,620
$75,330
Louisiana
$37,160
$77,520
South Carolina
$34,140
$77,500

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $39,460 for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss, a difference of $35K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss get paid the most?

Connecticut is the top-paying state for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss at $62,410/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss earn $62,410 vs. $83,150 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a ophthalmic laboratory techniciansGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →