Optics Technicians

Salaries and wages vary according to the aspect of the industry and the type of work the technician is doing.

Among the lowest paid workers in the general occupation of optics technicians are optical laboratory technicians (OLTs). According to PayScale.com, in 2025 OLTs earned salaries that ranged from $35,000 to $75,000.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in May 2023 the median hourly wages for ophthalmic laboratory technicians were $18.13 ($37,720 annually). The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $14.44 ($30,030 a year), and the highest paid 10 percent earned $26.72 ($55,580 a year).

Photonics technicians, who are classified as engineering technicians, typically earn higher salaries. In May 2023, engineering technicians earned median annual salaries of $72,800, with salaries ranging from less than $46,420 to $105,320 or more.

Benefits for optics technicians depend on the employer; however, they usually include such items as health insurance, retirement or 401(k) plans, and paid vacation days.