Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Salary in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN make a median of $52,190 a year, or about $25.09 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.77), which stretches that salary to about $56,870 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,166/month — about 34% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $52K get you in La Crosse-Onalaska?
About ophthalmic medical technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN
Entry-level ophthalmic medical technicians (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K.Top earners bring in $68K or more - a $26K spread from bottom to top.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $61K | +38% | 990 |
| Wisconsin | $51K | +15% | 1,210 |
| Vermont | $49K | +11% | 180 |
| Washington | $49K | +11% | 1,430 |
| Oregon | $49K | +11% | 1,410 |
| Connecticut | $49K | +10% | 630 |
| California | $48K | +9% | 4,090 |
| Maryland | $47K | +8% | 1,550 |
| New Jersey | $47K | +8% | 1,760 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +8% | 3,430 |
| New Hampshire | $47K | +7% | 400 |
| Montana | $47K | +7% | 490 |
| New York | $47K | +6% | 6,260 |
| Hawaii | $47K | +6% | 160 |
| Alaska | $47K | +6% | N/A |
Track ophthalmic medical technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when La Crosse-Onalaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do ophthalmic medical technicians make in La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN?
The median is $52,190 a year - that works out to about $25.09 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,010, and experienced ophthalmic medical technicians can clear $68,190. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in La Crosse-Onalaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,521/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,166/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.1% 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 medical technicians salary go in La Crosse-Onalaska?
La Crosse-Onalaska has a Regional Price Parity of 91.77 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median ophthalmic medical technicians salary is worth about $56,870 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do ophthalmic medical 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.