Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

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.

Also called: Edger Technician, Finishing Lab Technician, Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Lens Grinder and Polisher, Line Operator, Optical Lab Technician (Optical Laboratory Technician), Optical Technician, Polisher, Surfacing Technician, Artificial Glass Eye Maker, Artificial Plastic Eye Maker, Bench Hand, Benchroom Shop Optician, Bevel Polisher, Beveler, Contact Lens Blocker, Contact Lens Blocker and Cutter, Contact Lens Cutter, Contact Lens Lathe Operator, Contact Lens Manufacturer, Contact Lens Technician, Cylinder Grinder, Cylinder Worker, Diamond Grinder, Dotter, Driller, Edge Grinder, Edger, Eyeglass Assembler, Eyeglass Cutter, Eyeglass Lens Cutter, Eyeglass Maker, Glass Cutter, Glass Frame Fitter, Glass Silverer, Hand Glass Cutter, Hand Lens Polisher, Hospital Laboratory Technician (Hospital Lab Technician), Lens Cementer, Lens Coating Technician, Lens Cutter, Lens Dotter, Lens Edger, Lens Fabricating Machine Tender, Lens Finisher, Lens Generator, Lens Grinder, Lens Maker, Lens Mold Setter, Lens Mounter, Lens Polisher, Lens Shaper Grinder, Lens Silverer, Ophthalmic Technician, Optical Coating Technician, Optical Element Coater, Optical Goods Drill Operator, Optical Goods Drilling Machine Operator, Optical Goods Optician, Optical Instrument Assembler, Optical Laboratory Mechanic, Optical Laboratory Specialist, Optical Mechanic, Optical Worker, Optician, Precision Lens Centerer and Edger, Precision Lens Generator, Precision Lens Grinder, Precision Lens Polisher, Precision Optical Goods Worker, Prescription Eyeglass Maker, Prism Measurer, Spectacle Truer, Spotter, Surface Room Shop Optician, Surface Technician, Surfacer, Test Technician

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.

Skills, machines and equipment

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Time Management
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Monitoring
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Speaking
Writing
Active Learning

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (56.40% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

36,470–47,010 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 51-9083.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (56.40% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians