Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay range in Watertown
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,950 a year or less, while the top 10% make $57,460 or more. The middle half of ophthalmic medical technicians in Watertown earn between $36,950 and $47,140.
- $37K10th
- $37K25th
- $44KMedian
- $47K75th
- $57K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $44,990 | $3,749 | $21.63 |
| Median | $44,070 | $3,672 | $21.19 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,950 | $3,079 | $17.76 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,140 | $3,928 | $22.66 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay in Watertown vs. New York and the U.S.
Ophthalmic medical technicians in Watertown earn 14% less than the New York average ($52,110) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($47,060). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $45,570.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $44,990 | $44,070 | $36,950 | $57,460 | n/a |
| New York | $52,110 | $48,440 | $39,100 | $68,510 | 4,250 |
| United States | $47,060 | $45,570 | $35,700 | $61,940 | 71,010 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary after taxes in Watertown
On the average salary of $44,990, a single filer in Watertown takes home about $36,460 a year, or $3,038 a month and $1,402 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Is Watertown a good place for ophthalmic medical technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Watertown area are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.7), so the average $44,990 buys what about $51,306 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Watertown ($47,600). A typical home costs $230,401, or 5.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary in other New York cities
Watertown ranks 8th of 10 New York metro areas for this job; New York pays the most ($53,460).
- New York$53,460
- Ithaca$52,820
- Albany$51,440
- Kiryas Joel$50,900
- Rochester$47,940
- Utica$46,390
- Syracuse$46,070
- Watertown$44,990
- Buffalo$44,250
- Binghamton$43,480
Highest-paying cities for ophthalmic medical technicians
Santa Rosa, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($91,160).
- Santa Rosa, CA$91,160
- San Francisco, CA$73,740
- San Jose, CA$68,910
- Minneapolis, MN$67,350
- Los Angeles, CA$64,620
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Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salary in Watertown: questions
How much do ophthalmic medical technicians make an hour in Watertown?
$21.63 an hour on average, and $21.19 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level ophthalmic medical technicians salary in Watertown?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,950 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,950, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the ophthalmic medical technicians take-home pay in Watertown?
About $36,460 a year ($3,038 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $44,990. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Do ophthalmic medical technicians earn more in Watertown than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less than the U.S. average for this job ($47,060).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-2057; area Watertown-Fort Drum, NY (48060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
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