Career Paths From Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

1. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticLateral Move91.9% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 17% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $46,170

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

2. Grinding and Polishing Workers, HandLateral Move90.5% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 8% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $42,660

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

3. Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersLateral Move90.5% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 21% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $47,920

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

4. Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass FibersLateral Move91.8% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 17% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $46,350

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

5. Etchers and EngraversLateral Move91.4% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Etchers and Engravers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Etchers and Engravers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 10% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $43,310

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

6. Semiconductor Processing TechniciansLateral Move91.8% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Semiconductor Processing Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Semiconductor Processing Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 30% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $51,430

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

7. Chemical Equipment Operators and TendersLateral Move91% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 47% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $58,040

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

8. Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersLateral Move91.6% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 22% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $48,250

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

9. Rock Splitters, QuarryCareer Change90.1% skill match

   Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Rock Splitters, Quarry share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Rock Splitters, Quarry is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 24% higher.

   Current median salary

   $39,460

   Target median salary

   $48,740

   Current Job Zone

   2

   Target Job Zone

   2

10. Floor Sanders and FinishersCareer Change92.5% skill match

    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Floor Sanders and Finishers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Floor Sanders and Finishers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 28% higher.

    Current median salary

    $39,460

    Target median salary

    $50,440

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

11. Gas Plant OperatorsLateral Move90.5% skill match

    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Gas Plant Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Gas Plant Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 123% higher.

    Current median salary

    $39,460

    Target median salary

    $87,820

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

12. Printing Press OperatorsLateral Move90.7% skill match

    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Printing Press Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Printing Press Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 16% higher.

    Current median salary

    $39,460

    Target median salary

    $45,780

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

13. Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and WallCareer Change91.8% skill match

    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 24% higher.

    Current median salary

    $39,460

    Target median salary

    $49,120

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

14. Power Plant OperatorsLateral Move90.7% skill match

    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Power Plant Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Power Plant Operators sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 159% higher.

    Current median salary

    $39,460

    Target median salary

    $102,040

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

15. Helpers--Production WorkersLateral Move92.7% skill match

    Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Helpers--Production Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Helpers--Production Workers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move.

    Current median salary

    $39,460

    Target median salary

    $39,070

    Current Job Zone

    2

    Target Job Zone

    2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.