The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Optometric Technician around the country.
What We Do
An optometric technician works alongside an optometrist to help in eye examinations, diagnosis, and treatment. Their professional responsibilities include such things such testing the depth perception, visual acuity, and pressure inside the eye, as well as pupil reflexes and color vision. Furthermore, they are often tasked to ensure that exam schedules are followed, and that the examination rooms are ready based on those schedules, while at the same time help to produce eye glasses, repair eye glasses, and clean ocular equipment, to name but a few.
Work Environment
Obviously, an optometric technician is generally found in optometrists’ offices. This can be a private clinic, a franchise, or a hospital. In addition, they can also be found employed in vision treatment facilities or in eye care clinics.
How to Become an Optometric Technician
To become an optometric technician, a person must have a high school diploma as a minimum. Most employers will also look for those who have completed a relevant two-year associate’s degree, however. This is because it means the individual already has a baseline knowledge for an optometric career, including eye anatomy and physiology, optometric procedures, optics, and optical devices.
Training & Certification Requirements
Certification is not a legal requirement to work as an optometric technician but proper optician training is. However, those who have been certified are far more competitive in the workplace. That said, it is also possible that certification would be provided by the employer. The CPOT (Certified Paraoptometric Technician) designation is the most popular option. This can be completed through a both written and practical examination. The certification must be renewed every three years, which is done either through continuous education credits or by taking the exam.
Optometric Technician Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Optometric Technician.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Optometric Technician | $25,000 |
Certified Ophthalmic Technician | $37,000 |
Optometric Assistant | $24,000 |
Optometric Technician Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians earned a median salary of $33,950 per year in May 2015. However, this is at the high school level. Most optometric technicians hold an associate’s degree and certification, which means they are most likely to be part of the top 10% of earners, who earned about $59,170 per year or more.
Optometric Technician Job Outlook
The BLS has also reported that Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians can expect job growth of 10% from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the national average for most other jobs. This is in part due to advances in medical sciences and due to the overall aging population in general.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Optometric Technician was $33,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide are 42% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Optometric Technician Salary by State
The following lists Optometric Technician salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $42,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $21,000.
Alaska – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. | |||||||||||
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Alabama – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Vision, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Arkansas – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVO and EyeCare Center of Saline County. | |||||||||||
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Arizona – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, Gila River Health Care, Optical Gallery Arizona, and Sun City West Eye Care. | |||||||||||
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California – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like East Bay Optometry, Stanton Optical, California Eye Specialists, and Visualeyes Optometry. | |||||||||||
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Colorado – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Vision, Inc., Hero Practice Services, Senior Vision Services, and Loock Perfect Image Eyecare. | |||||||||||
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Connecticut – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HireVelocity, Hire Velocity, Doctors Eye Clinic, and DOCTOR PAVANO & Associates. | |||||||||||
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DC – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Dr. Solomon and Associates, Quadrant, Inc., Eyerx, and Wink Eyecare Boutique. | |||||||||||
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Delaware – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Associates in Eye Care, Nemours, and Simon Eye Associates. | |||||||||||
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Florida – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Stanton Optical, LasikPlus, MyEyeDr., and EYEGLASS WORLD. | |||||||||||
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Georgia – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Vision, Inc., Pearle Vision – Buckhead, Briggs Vision Group, and MyEyeDr.. | |||||||||||
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Hawaii – $21,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Windward Vision Center Kailua. | |||||||||||
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Iowa – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TalentCare LLC, National Vision, Inc., Wolfe Eye Clinic, and AMERICA’S BEST CONTACTS & EYEGLASSES. | |||||||||||
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Idaho – $22,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shopko and Emmett Eye Center. | |||||||||||
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Illinois – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Lakepointe Vision Center, and Advanced Eye Care of Roselle. | |||||||||||
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Indiana – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, Stanton Optical, National Vision, Inc., and Levin Eye Care Center. | |||||||||||
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Kansas – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Drs. Hawks, Besler, Hero Practice Services, Cavanaugh Eye Center, and Olathe Family Vision. | |||||||||||
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Kentucky – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, Makisha S. Maggard, OD & Associates, LasikPlus, and Dr. Jason Glenn and Associates. | |||||||||||
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Louisiana – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Senior Vision Services and University Medical Center New Orleans. | |||||||||||
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Massachusetts – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Tufts Medical Center, Atrius Health, Hayden Optometric, and Burlington Vision Inc. | |||||||||||
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Maryland – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Peepers of Severna Park, Dr. Solomon and Associates, Luxottica Group, and Visionworks. | |||||||||||
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Maine – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bonney Staffing Center, Inc. and Eyecare Medical Group. | |||||||||||
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Michigan – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Vision, Inc., Battle Creek Eye Clinic, Michigan Optical, and Michigan Eye Institue. | |||||||||||
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Minnesota – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Avera Health, Troy M. Powers OD and Associates, and Visionworks – Southdale Center. | |||||||||||
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Missouri – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, Eyecare Specialties of Missouri LLC, National Vision, Inc., and Coleman Vision. | |||||||||||
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Mississippi – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Advanced Eyecare, LLC. | |||||||||||
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Montana – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shopko. | |||||||||||
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North Carolina – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MyEyeDr., American Eye Care, Triangle Visions Optometry, and Contact Lens Institute. | |||||||||||
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North Dakota – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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Nebraska – $24,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Legacy Eyecare, Stanton Optical, LasikPlus, and Lincoln Vision Center. | |||||||||||
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New Hampshire – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Merrimack Vision Care and Harbor Eyecare Center. | |||||||||||
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New Jersey – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sightrite Eye Care Services, Citilight Optometry P.C., DR. WILLIAM BEEGLE O.D., and Family Eye Care. | |||||||||||
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New Mexico – $29,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Advanced Optometric and Hero Practice Services. | |||||||||||
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Nevada – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kopolow and Girisgen OD PC. | |||||||||||
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New York – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sightrite Eye Care Services, LensCrafters – Eastview Mall, Optix Family Eyecare, and Southern Vision Center. | |||||||||||
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Ohio – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Vision, Inc., The Ohio State University, Optometric Technician / Optician, and AMERICA’S BEST CONTACTS & EYEGLASSES. | |||||||||||
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Oklahoma – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Eye Care Oklahoma, Inc., Stanton Optical, Choctaw Nation, and Dr. L.J Greenhaw & Associates- Independent Doctors of Optometry. | |||||||||||
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Oregon – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LasikPlus, National Vision, Inc., Oswego Optique, and Beaumont Vision. | |||||||||||
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Pennsylvania – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, National Vision, Inc., LasikPlus, and Dittman Eyecare, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Rhode Island – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Acuity Vision & Eyewear Center and Busy Optometry Practice. | |||||||||||
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South Carolina – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like HireVelocity, MyEyeDr., Stanton Optical, and Hire Velocity. | |||||||||||
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South Dakota – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shopko and Vision Care Associates. | |||||||||||
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Tennessee – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, National Vision, Inc., TridentUSA Mobile Clinical Services, and Drake Eye Care and Eyewear. | |||||||||||
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Texas – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TalentCare LLC, Dallas Eyeworks, LasikPlus, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses. | |||||||||||
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Utah – $26,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Shopko. | |||||||||||
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Virginia – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LasikPlus, LLCC, Ashburn Eyecare Associates, and National Vision, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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Vermont – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Brattleboro Family Eye Care. | |||||||||||
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Washington – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Northwest Eye Surgeons, Roosevelt Vision, National Vision, Inc., and TalentCare LLC. | |||||||||||
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Wisconsin – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Visionworks, UW Hospitals & Clinics, SSM Health, and Pearle Vision – 8701. | |||||||||||
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West Virginia – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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Wyoming – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Optometric Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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