SOC 29-2057 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians — Watertown
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Watertown, NY is $44,070 per year, close to the national median of $45,570 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Watertown, NY is $44,070 per year, close to the national median of $45,570 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $36,950 at the tenth percentile to more than $57,460 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,950 to $47,140.
Ithaca leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $55,570. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 146th of 199 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,950 | −18.9% |
| 25th | $36,950 | −18.9% |
| Median (50th) | $44,070 | −3.3% |
| 75th | $47,140 | +3.4% |
| 90th | $57,460 | +26.1% |
| Mean | $44,990 | −1.3% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca | $55,570 | 60 | |
| 2 | New York | $55,100 | 5,670 | |
| 3 | Albany | $52,600 | 210 | |
| 4 | Kiryas Joel | $50,310 | 260 | |
| 5 | Utica | $47,220 | — | |
| 6 | Rochester | $47,030 | 300 | |
| 7 | Syracuse | $45,790 | 280 | |
| 8 | Binghamton | $44,610 | 60 | |
| 9 | Buffalo | $43,580 | 480 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Watertown run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $44,070 buys what $40,843 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,070as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,070 a year, 3.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,950 to $57,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ithaca, at $55,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Watertown, NY?
The median annual wage is $44,070, or $21.19 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 $45,570, so pay in Watertown, NY is 3.3% 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 Watertown, NY earns more than $57,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,950 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.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Ithaca, at $55,570 per year.
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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