Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians Salary
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO make a median of $52,510 a year, or about $25.25 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers.
So what does $53K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About ophthalmic laboratory technicians
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $44K | , |
| Omaha | $41K | $44K |
| Albuquerque | $39K | $40K |
| Oklahoma City | $36K | $40K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level ophthalmic laboratory technicians (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $53K. Top earners bring in $58K or more, a $15K spread from bottom to top.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $62K | +58% | 170 |
| New Hampshire | $59K | +51% | 180 |
| Washington | $49K | +25% | 260 |
| Colorado | $49K | +23% | 320 |
| Rhode Island | $47K | +20% | 70 |
| New Jersey | $47K | +20% | N/A |
| California | $47K | +20% | 1,630 |
| Maryland | $47K | +19% | 360 |
| Ohio | $46K | +17% | 560 |
| Oregon | $46K | +16% | 250 |
| Michigan | $45K | +15% | 330 |
| Georgia | $45K | +14% | 960 |
| Kansas | $45K | +14% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $44K | +12% | 210 |
| Maine | $44K | +10% | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $43K | +9% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $43K | +9% | 200 |
| New York | $42K | +8% | 1,250 |
| Nebraska | $41K | +3% | 170 |
| Minnesota | $40K | +2% | 1,110 |
| Nevada | $39K | -1% | 240 |
| Missouri | $39K | -2% | 360 |
| Arizona | $39K | -2% | 150 |
| New Mexico | $39K | -2% | 130 |
| Florida | $38K | -4% | 1,230 |
| Texas | $38K | -4% | 3,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $38K | -5% | 510 |
| Tennessee | $37K | -5% | 130 |
| Indiana | $37K | -5% | 330 |
| Louisiana | $37K | -6% | 300 |
| West Virginia | $37K | -6% | N/A |
| Arkansas | $37K | -6% | 170 |
| Alabama | $37K | -6% | 190 |
| Illinois | $37K | -7% | 830 |
| Kentucky | $37K | -7% | 610 |
| Oklahoma | $36K | -10% | 210 |
| Mississippi | $35K | -11% | 220 |
| Virginia | $34K | -13% | 470 |
| South Carolina | $34K | -13% | 130 |
| Iowa | $34K | -14% | 100 |
Showing 1–10 of 40 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track ophthalmic laboratory technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a ophthalmic laboratory technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $53K, rent takes 34% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,187/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for ophthalmic laboratory technicians in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new ophthalmic laboratory technicians typically earn — is $43K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,576/month.
Is ophthalmic laboratory technician a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Local pay is 33% above the national median — $53K here vs. $39K nationally.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $53K median vs. the U.S. average of $39K — that’s +33%.
How much do ophthalmic laboratory technicians make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $52,510 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,940, and experienced ophthalmic laboratory technicians can clear $57,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $53K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,493/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,187/month, which eats 34% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a ophthalmic laboratory technicians salary go in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median ophthalmic laboratory technicians salary is worth about $52,510 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do ophthalmic laboratory technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.