How much does an eyewear technician make?
a year · about $19 an hour
A typical eyewear technician in the United States makes $39,460 a year, about $19 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They read an order, set a lens blank in a machine, then grind, polish, or edge it to fit a frame. They measure and inspect each finished lens for flaws, smoothness, and correct alignment.
Did you know? Some U.S. eyewear technicians also make lenses for telescopes and binoculars—not just glasses!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,530 and $57,380How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school (science, math, and art can help) and learn on the job; related experience is usually not needed. A certificate or associate degree may help; certification is optional, and apprenticeships are another route.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience, optional certification, and location. It can also depend on the employer and tasks: big labs may split the work into steps, while small labs may handle more of the process; more hours or overtime can change total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($47,410), lowest in Kentucky ($36,650).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,530 | $39,460 | $57,380 | about 19,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $47,410 | about 2,000 |
| Ohio | $46,320 | about 560 |
| Georgia | $45,050 | about 960 |
| New York | $42,450 | about 1,000 |
| Minnesota | $40,280 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: 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).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/production/dental-and-ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians-and-medi
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-9083.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes519083.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY