Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
SOC Code: 51-9083
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicianss mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines. This career typically requires moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year). With an AI-proof score of 68.5/100, this role has moderate resilience to automation. Key skills include Quality Control Analysis, Operation and Control, Operation and Control.
AI-Proof Score: 68.5 — High
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Median Salary
$38,420
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Job Growth
2.3%
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Training Time
Moderate-term on-the-job training (months to 1 year)
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Job Zone
Zone 2 / 5
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Training Cost
~$5,000
Key Skills
- •Quality Control Analysis
- •Operation and Control
- •Operations Monitoring
- •Time Management
- •Reading Comprehension
- •Critical Thinking
- •Monitoring
- •Judgment and Decision Making
Common Tasks
- ✓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.
Training & Resources
Why AI-Proof?
- ✅Requires hands-on physical presence and dexterity
- ✅Demands human empathy, judgment, and trust
- ✅Operates in unpredictable, variable environments
- ✅Social and regulatory barriers to full automation