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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

51-9083 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. Includes precision lens polishers or grinders, centerer-edgers, and lens mounters. Excludes “Opticians, Dispensing" (29-2081).

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 1,210124$20.49/hr$18.58/hr$18.83/hr$18.88/hr$22.28/hr$23.01/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Manufacturing1,360$18.85/hr
Trade, Transportation and UtilitiesN/AN/A
Education and Health Services100$18.42/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Southwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA N/AN/AN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA N/A$18.88/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southwest Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Balance of State N/AN/AN/A
Northeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Northwest Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
Southeast Minnesota N/AN/AN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 340$17.96/hrN/A
Central Minnesota 350$17.96/hr10.3%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 1,210$18.88/hr15.2%
Minnesota 1,600$18.88/hr14.5%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 160$26.58/hr-14.3%
Etchers and Engravers 250$18.86/hr7.0%
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners 140$23.00/hr5.0%


  • Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
  • Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
  • Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
  • Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
  • Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
  • Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
  • Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
  • Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
  • Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
  • Assemble eyeglass frames and attach shields, nose pads, and temple pieces, using pliers, screwdrivers, and drills.