Ophthalmic Technician Careers: Job Duties, Education & Certification
Ophthalmic Technician Facts and Figures
- What you’ll do: Once you become an ophthalmic technician, you’ll work right along side an ophthalmologist as they help patients with eye disorders, vision measurements for glasses, eye muscle exercises and the prevention of blindness. You’ll also obtain medical histories from patients, administer diagnostic tests, provide contact lens instruction, administer eye medicine, and maintain optical instruments.
- Where you’ll work: Ophthalmic technicians and ophthalmic technologists work in ophthalmologists’ offices.
- Degree you’ll need: Associate degree plus one-year certificate or diploma
- Median annual salary: $41,780
What Is an Ophthalmic Technician?
An ophthalmic technician plays a crucial role in supporting ophthalmologists. They assist in various tasks such as obtaining medical histories, measuring eye pressure and visual acuity, operating specialized equipment, and educating patients on topics like proper administration of eye medications.
Ophthalmic Technologist Job Description
As an ophthalmic technologist, you perform all duties performed by opticians and technicians, but you have more training and expanded responsibilities. Your additional responsibilities may include the following:
- Assisting the ophthalmologist in surgery
- Performing ophthalmic clinical photography and fluorescence angiography, as well as electrophysiological and microbiological procedures
- Supervising other ophthalmic staff
Ophthalmic Technician and Technologist Education
In addition to having your GED or high school diploma, you need to complete a CAAHEP-accredited OT program, usually a 1-year certificate or diploma for assistants and technicians or a 2-year associate degree for technologists.
Coursework for Ophthalmic Techs
- Anatomy and physiology
- Ophthalmic optics
- Medical terminology
- Microbiology
- Medical laws and ethics
- Ophthalmic pharmacology and toxicology
- Psychology
- Ocular motility
- Ocular anatomy and physiology
- Diseases of the eye
You’ll also gain plenty of hands-on clinical experience.
Ophthalmic Technician and Technologist Certification
Certification regulations vary from state-to-state, however many employers consider it a requirement for employment. The Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) offers national certification and testing for OTs on three different levels, plus subspecialty certification:
- Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA) – entry level
- Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) – intermediate level
- Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) – advanced level
The subspecialty of ophthalmic surgical assisting requires certification in one of the three core levels.
Ophthalmic Tech Salaries
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 data reports median annual salaries for ophthalmic medical techs and ophthalmic lab techs. Take a look at the median annual wage for these two fields.
National data
Median Salary: $41,780
Projected job growth: 12.7%
10th Percentile: $31,200
25th Percentile: $36,330
75th Percentile: $49,740
90th Percentile: $59,930
Projected job growth: 12.7%
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,970 | $28,470 | $45,330 |
| Alaska | $60,810 | $39,400 | $82,290 |
| Arizona | $39,260 | $34,150 | $51,810 |
| Arkansas | $34,800 | $28,450 | $48,490 |
| California | $49,260 | $36,360 | $67,510 |
| Colorado | $43,930 | $35,110 | $65,330 |
| Connecticut | $45,670 | $38,980 | $60,620 |
| Delaware | $37,710 | $31,200 | $47,210 |
| District of Columbia | $59,410 | $47,150 | $59,830 |
| Florida | $40,740 | $31,410 | $60,300 |
| Georgia | $37,770 | $30,320 | $51,570 |
| Hawaii | $45,030 | $31,730 | $61,860 |
| Idaho | $39,470 | $31,200 | $56,140 |
| Illinois | $44,220 | $35,070 | $57,260 |
| Indiana | $39,370 | $29,600 | $55,250 |
| Iowa | $45,240 | $37,190 | $59,370 |
| Kansas | $39,520 | $30,390 | $59,640 |
| Kentucky | $37,010 | $27,950 | $48,820 |
| Louisiana | $38,300 | $28,910 | $49,250 |
| Maine | $41,410 | $36,180 | $57,760 |
| Maryland | $47,800 | $35,410 | $62,070 |
| Massachusetts | $50,220 | $36,770 | $72,110 |
| Michigan | $39,260 | $29,430 | $58,040 |
| Minnesota | $52,740 | $30,850 | $83,360 |
| Mississippi | $35,180 | $28,080 | $51,240 |
| Missouri | $37,440 | $27,480 | $46,330 |
| Montana | $40,740 | $33,050 | $60,750 |
| Nebraska | $38,630 | $35,470 | $53,000 |
| Nevada | $35,800 | $29,880 | $50,080 |
| New Hampshire | $42,010 | $36,240 | $59,260 |
| New Jersey | $49,050 | $31,200 | $61,400 |
| New Mexico | $37,500 | $28,750 | $56,570 |
| New York | $50,810 | $37,080 | $64,680 |
| North Carolina | $40,330 | $31,210 | $59,100 |
| North Dakota | $44,820 | $37,050 | $49,300 |
| Ohio | $39,220 | $35,160 | $52,980 |
| Oklahoma | $34,650 | $30,160 | $47,280 |
| Oregon | $47,430 | $37,080 | $69,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,110 | $33,760 | $56,230 |
| Rhode Island | $47,680 | $38,790 | $64,260 |
| South Carolina | $37,420 | $28,330 | $49,940 |
| South Dakota | $41,610 | $35,640 | $51,670 |
| Tennessee | $37,510 | $30,080 | $50,390 |
| Texas | $37,590 | $29,320 | $51,580 |
| Utah | $36,060 | $28,130 | $48,320 |
| Vermont | $48,740 | $39,430 | $62,990 |
| Virginia | $40,350 | $34,630 | $56,970 |
| Washington | $48,620 | $39,180 | $69,100 |
| West Virginia | $36,640 | $26,000 | $45,750 |
| Wisconsin | $48,220 | $36,840 | $61,800 |
| Wyoming | $32,900 | $27,930 | $46,380 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
National data
Median Salary: $37,720
Projected job growth: 1.1%
10th Percentile: $30,030
25th Percentile: $34,630
75th Percentile: $45,540
90th Percentile: $55,580
Projected job growth: 1.1%
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $34,890 | $26,060 | $49,460 |
| Arizona | $39,400 | $35,420 | $46,200 |
| Arkansas | $35,790 | $32,200 | $39,760 |
| California | $47,850 | $36,730 | $80,180 |
| Colorado | $44,240 | $37,070 | $60,790 |
| Connecticut | $58,810 | $44,100 | $162,760 |
| Florida | $35,720 | $30,030 | $44,480 |
| Georgia | $34,990 | $29,440 | $61,530 |
| Idaho | $38,500 | $22,380 | $62,030 |
| Illinois | $34,900 | $28,580 | $48,360 |
| Indiana | $36,650 | $28,260 | $52,150 |
| Iowa | $44,990 | $36,060 | $49,980 |
| Kansas | $32,800 | $27,490 | $54,610 |
| Kentucky | $34,820 | $27,370 | $47,320 |
| Louisiana | $33,740 | $28,460 | $49,250 |
| Maryland | $47,170 | $39,770 | $65,220 |
| Massachusetts | $46,370 | $37,180 | $56,350 |
| Michigan | $38,580 | $33,720 | $46,120 |
| Minnesota | $39,120 | $31,250 | $48,470 |
| Mississippi | $34,050 | $25,670 | $46,530 |
| Missouri | $37,820 | $31,220 | $53,120 |
| Montana | $36,770 | $35,690 | $40,710 |
| Nebraska | $37,730 | $28,650 | $53,540 |
| Nevada | $37,840 | $31,250 | $49,110 |
| New Hampshire | $46,560 | $35,480 | $88,820 |
| New Jersey | $32,880 | $29,390 | $45,080 |
| New Mexico | $35,610 | $29,860 | $43,420 |
| New York | $35,240 | $31,830 | $51,380 |
| North Carolina | $35,640 | $29,820 | $55,130 |
| North Dakota | $38,760 | $37,160 | $49,690 |
| Ohio | $41,790 | $32,970 | $49,600 |
| Oklahoma | $34,650 | $30,160 | $52,250 |
| Oregon | $40,340 | $36,700 | $49,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $37,070 | $30,820 | $49,170 |
| South Carolina | $36,080 | $31,980 | $54,070 |
| Tennessee | $34,260 | $30,350 | $36,980 |
| Texas | $34,820 | $28,970 | $39,890 |
| Utah | $37,830 | $35,100 | $58,430 |
| Virginia | $37,910 | $31,200 | $55,870 |
| Washington | $37,950 | $37,950 | $58,160 |
| West Virginia | $28,540 | $26,640 | $41,300 |
| Wisconsin | $45,110 | $37,590 | $54,310 |
| Wyoming | $29,520 | $29,330 | $40,960 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.