How much do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

Percentile spread

For Ophthalmic Medical Technicians, the published 10th percentile is $39,270 and the 90th percentile is $49,390. The difference is $10,120, which is 25.8% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $39,270 to the 75th at $49,390, covers $10,120.

The mean annual wage is $44,160, which sits above the median of $39,270. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median is 13.8% lower than the national median of $45,570 for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians. In 2024 national prices the local median is $45,108, which is 1% lower than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 10.8% lower than the Iowa median of $44,030.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA is 87.057, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $39,270 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Ophthalmic Medical Technicians at $45,108 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

8 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA ranks 8th of 9 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Cedar Rapids, IA is 53 miles away, with a median of $48,680. That median is 24% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $54,719, against $45,108 here.
• Iowa City, IA is 82 miles away, with a median of $42,730 and employment of 30. That median is 8.8% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $46,695, against $45,108 here.
• Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is 94 miles away, with a median of $48,570 and employment of 170. That median is 23.7% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $52,966, against $45,108 here.