Ophthalmic laboratory technicians
SOC Code: 51-9083
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians carries a 24% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $38,420 and +2.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 19,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 24% AI exposure, Ophthalmic laboratory technicians sits 13 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 13% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Ophthalmic laboratory technicians sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians has ai exposure of 24%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Ophthalmic laboratory technicians is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians (SOC 51-9083) carries an AI exposure score of 24%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 19,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +2.3% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $38,420, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Ophthalmic laboratory technicians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
- 2. Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
- 3. Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
- 4. Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- 5. Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
- 6. Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
- 7. Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools.
- 8. Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements.
- 9. Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment.
- 10. Select lens blanks, molds, tools, and polishing or grinding wheels, according to production specifications.
Key Skills Required
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Knowledge Areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Engineering and Technology
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians has an AI exposure score of 24%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Ophthalmic laboratory technicians is projected to grow by 2.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 19,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
Key skills for Ophthalmic laboratory technicians include Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Ophthalmic laboratory technicians earn?
The median annual wage for Ophthalmic laboratory technicians is $38,420, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
The typical entry-level education for Ophthalmic laboratory technicians is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
Ophthalmic laboratory technicians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).