Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians - Cut, grind, and polish eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other precision optical elements. Assemble and mount lenses into frames or process other optical elements.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $29,610 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $14.24. The average wage in New Mexico is above the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $16.79 and most workers in this occupation earn between $11.91 and $19.23 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $29,610 | ||
| National Hourly | $14.24 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $24,777 | $34,919 | $39,990 |
| Statewide Hourly | $11.91 | $16.79 | $19.23 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $25,323 | $35,805 | $41,046 |
| Hourly | $12.17 | $17.21 | $19.73 |
| Farmington Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $25,323 | $35,805 | $41,046 |
| Hourly | $12.17 | $17.21 | $19.73 |
| Eastern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Northern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Southwestern Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 200 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will increase by about 15 percent and an estmated 230 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing more slowly than the average. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 3 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 200 | 230 | 1.43% | 3 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 150 | 180 | 1.77% | 3 |
| Farmington | - | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces | - | - | - | - |
| Santa Fe | - | - | - | - |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 150 | 180 | 1.77% | 3 |
| Eastern | - | - | - | - |
| Northern | - | - | - | - |
| Southwestern | - | - | - | - |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians usually need High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate).
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma (or GED or High School Equivalence Certificate) | 76% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9% |
| Some College Courses | 5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) | 5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Pima Medical Institute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.pmi.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician | |
| Associate's Degree | Opthalmic Technician/Technologist | |
| + Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institut | ||
| Website:http://www.sipi.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Associate's Degree | Opthalmic Technician/Technologist | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
No New Mexico occupational license is required.
No WorkKeys scores are available for this particular occupation.
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 37.0% |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | * |
| Machinery Manufacturing | * |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | * |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
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