Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 56%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 56% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 18,660 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $39,460 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 65% for contact with people.
- Also called: Edger Technician, Finishing Lab Technician, Lab Technician (Laboratory Technician), Lens Grinder and Polisher.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines | 10% | 20% to 60% | |
| Mount, secure, and align finished lenses in frames or optical assemblies, using precision hand tools | 10% | 3% to 30% | |
| Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Examine prescriptions, work orders, or broken or used eyeglasses to determine specifications for lenses, contact lenses, or other optical elements | 7% | 55% to 85% | |
| Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Adjust lenses and frames to correct alignment | 6% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills ophthalmic laboratory technicians use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Mechanical Door Repairers52% of tasks by 2035 · US median $55,720
- Paperhangers55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,140
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $42,360
- Roofers46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $55,440
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of ophthalmic laboratory technicians?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of ophthalmic laboratory technicians today and 56% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-9083.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/ophthalmic-laboratory-technicians/