As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Optical Technician in California is $74,217 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, an Optical Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Optical Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $78,771 | $6,564 | $1,515 | $38 |
| Average | $74,217 | $6,185 | $1,427 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,766 | $5,397 | $1,246 | $31 |
United Health Centers - Fowler, CA
Narish International LLC - Pleasant Hill, CA
LanceSoft - Santa Clara, CA
Coherent - Santa Clara, CA
An Optical Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Optical Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Optical Technician | $71,986 |
| Intermediate Level Optical Technician | $72,248 |
| Senior Level Optical Technician | $75,210 |
| Specialist Level Optical Technician | $77,091 |
| Expert Level Optical Technician | $77,225 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Optical Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Optical Technician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Optical Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Optical Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $89,061 | $43.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Optical Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $78,771 | $6,564 | $1,515 | $38 |
| Average | $74,217 | $6,185 | $1,427 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,766 | $5,397 | $1,246 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Optical Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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