SOC 51-9083 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians — Columbia
Columbia, SC
The median wage here is $36,400 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $39,460.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $36,400 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $39,460. Half of workers earn between $28,410 and $66,250. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $24,870 and the ninetieth at $71,550.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.1 of every thousand jobs. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 442nd of 511 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,870 | −37.0% |
| 25th | $28,410 | −28.0% |
| Median (50th) | $36,400 | −7.8% |
| 75th | $66,250 | +67.9% |
| 90th | $71,550 | +81.3% |
| Mean | $42,830 | +8.5% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbia run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $36,400 goes as far as $38,847 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,847US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,400 a year, 7.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,870 to $71,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in Columbia, SC?
The median annual wage is $36,400, or $17.50 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $39,460, so pay in Columbia, SC is 7.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Columbia, SC earns more than $71,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,870 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Columbia, SC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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