Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2057) earn a median $45,570 a year ($21.91 an hour) in the United States, with 71,010 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Minnesota.
What ophthalmic medical technicians do
Ophthalmic medical technicians assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions, and the SOC says they may administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in the care and use of corrective lenses. They take and document patients' medical histories, then measure visual acuity at near and distance, including with pinhole or dynamic tests, and measure and record lens power with lensometers. They conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure, run visual field tests, and operate ophthalmic equipment such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs and retinoscopes. They take anatomical or functional measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length. They also administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications. O*NET alternate titles such as certified ophthalmic technician, certified retinal angiographer, ocular care technician and certified ophthalmic surgical assistant show how the work extends to imaging and surgical support in some positions. About 59 percent of respondents report a high school diploma or equivalent and 27 percent a postsecondary certificate. The physician uses their findings to diagnose and plan care.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical level of education for this occupation (59 percent).
Also called: Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician (Certified Ophthalmic Medical Tech), Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), Certified Ophthalmic Technician-Surgical Assistant (COT-SA), Certified Retinal Angiographer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $17.17 | $18.35 | $21.91 | $24.71 | $29.78 | $22.63 | 71,010 |
| Annual | $35,700 | $38,170 | $45,570 | $51,390 | $61,940 | $47,060 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where ophthalmic medical technicians earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Minnesota | Hourly | $22.16 | $24.29 | $30.33 | $37.54 | $40.06 | $30.57 | 720 | 0.24 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $46,080 | $50,510 | $63,080 | $78,070 | $83,330 | $63,580 | ||||
| Hawaii | Hourly | $19.41 | $23.32 | $28.00 | $28.78 | $31.18 | $26.56 | 190 | 0.30 | 0.66 |
| Annual | $40,370 | $48,510 | $58,240 | $59,850 | $64,850 | $55,240 | ||||
| Wisconsin | Hourly | $19.67 | $22.96 | $27.13 | $29.62 | $32.00 | $26.40 | 1,260 | 0.43 | 0.94 |
| Annual | $40,910 | $47,750 | $56,420 | $61,620 | $66,560 | $54,920 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $18.64 | $21.54 | $26.20 | $36.03 | $48.89 | $30.30 | 2,500 | 0.14 | 0.30 |
| Annual | $38,780 | $44,810 | $54,490 | $74,950 | $101,700 | $63,030 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $18.15 | $18.15 | $24.42 | $30.96 | $30.96 | $25.54 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $37,760 | $37,760 | $50,790 | $64,390 | $64,400 | $53,130 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Florida | Hourly | $17.47 | $18.38 | $22.51 | $24.16 | $28.41 | $22.27 | 7,020 | 0.71 | 1.55 |
| Annual | $36,330 | $38,240 | $46,830 | $50,260 | $59,100 | $46,310 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $15.35 | $17.81 | $20.98 | $24.01 | $27.95 | $21.19 | 6,540 | 0.47 | 1.02 |
| Annual | $31,930 | $37,040 | $43,640 | $49,950 | $58,130 | $44,080 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $18.80 | $21.03 | $23.29 | $28.95 | $32.94 | $25.05 | 4,250 | 0.44 | 0.96 |
| Annual | $39,100 | $43,750 | $48,440 | $60,220 | $68,510 | $52,110 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $19.22 | $21.04 | $23.58 | $27.79 | $28.01 | $24.38 | 4,150 | 0.97 | 2.12 |
| Annual | $39,970 | $43,770 | $49,050 | $57,800 | $58,250 | $50,720 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $17.40 | $18.30 | $22.64 | $24.28 | $29.08 | $22.36 | 3,250 | 0.53 | 1.17 |
| Annual | $36,190 | $38,060 | $47,100 | $50,490 | $60,490 | $46,500 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | Hourly | $22.82 | $29.61 | $49.30 | $50.50 | $59.27 | $43.83 | 40 | 0.19 | 0.42 |
| Annual | $47,470 | $61,590 | $102,540 | $105,030 | $123,290 | $91,160 | ||||
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | Hourly | $20.55 | $22.88 | $31.25 | $35.66 | $35.66 | $29.26 | 130 | 0.37 | 0.81 |
| Annual | $42,740 | $47,590 | $65,000 | $74,180 | $74,180 | $60,870 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $20.62 | $25.16 | $30.43 | $49.15 | $57.86 | $35.45 | 420 | 0.18 | 0.39 |
| Annual | $42,890 | $52,330 | $63,300 | $102,230 | $120,350 | $73,740 | ||||
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | Hourly | $23.37 | $29.74 | $30.33 | $37.94 | $40.99 | $32.38 | 450 | 0.23 | 0.51 |
| Annual | $48,620 | $61,860 | $63,080 | $78,910 | $85,250 | $67,350 | ||||
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | Hourly | $22.54 | $23.77 | $29.99 | $31.12 | $37.12 | $28.60 | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $46,890 | $49,430 | $62,390 | $64,740 | $77,210 | $59,480 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $19.62 | $21.23 | $26.49 | $28.00 | $32.94 | $25.70 | 5,670 | 0.60 | 1.31 |
| Annual | $40,810 | $44,150 | $55,100 | $58,240 | $68,500 | $53,460 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $17.62 | $19.09 | $24.04 | $24.37 | $29.11 | $23.33 | 2,390 | 0.53 | 1.16 |
| Annual | $36,650 | $39,710 | $50,010 | $50,680 | $60,560 | $48,520 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $17.90 | $20.76 | $24.01 | $27.39 | $28.97 | $23.75 | 2,310 | 0.57 | 1.25 |
| Annual | $37,230 | $43,180 | $49,950 | $56,960 | $60,250 | $49,410 | ||||
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | Hourly | $18.21 | $19.06 | $23.90 | $27.68 | $30.60 | $23.95 | 1,880 | 0.67 | 1.46 |
| Annual | $37,890 | $39,640 | $49,710 | $57,570 | $63,650 | $49,810 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $18.50 | $23.58 | $25.32 | $31.56 | $38.82 | $27.43 | 1,740 | 0.64 | 1.41 |
| Annual | $38,480 | $49,040 | $52,670 | $65,650 | $80,740 | $57,050 | ||||
Top industries employing ophthalmic medical technicians
Offices of Physicians employ 54.8% of ophthalmic medical technicians nationally (38,900 jobs) at a median $47,200 a year ($22.69 an hour), followed by Offices of Other Health Practitioners (32.3%) and General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (4.2%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Physicians NAICS 621100 | 38,900 | 54.8% | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners NAICS 621300 | 22,930 | 32.3% | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals NAICS 622100 | 3,000 | 4.2% | $61,620 | $29.62 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers NAICS 456100 | 2,630 | 3.7% | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Outpatient Care Centers NAICS 621400 | 1,570 | 2.2% | $60,640 | $29.15 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (71,010). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $37,180 for ophthalmic medical technicians in May 2021 and $45,570 in May 2025, with employment of 65,700 and 71,010.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $37,180 | $17.87 | 65,700 |
| May 2022 | $38,860 | $18.68 | 66,060 |
| May 2023 | $41,780 | $20.09 | 73,390 |
| May 2024 | $44,080 | $21.19 | 76,520 |
| May 2025 | $45,570 | $21.91 | 71,010 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
51 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota profile | $30.33 | $63,080 | $46,080 | $83,330 | 720 | 0.24 | 0.53 |
| 2 | Hawaii profile | $28.00 | $58,240 | $40,370 | $64,850 | 190 | 0.30 | 0.66 |
| 3 | Wisconsin profile | $27.13 | $56,420 | $40,910 | $66,560 | 1,260 | 0.43 | 0.94 |
| 4 | California profile | $26.20 | $54,490 | $38,780 | $101,700 | 2,500 | 0.14 | 0.30 |
| 5 | District of Columbia profile | $24.42 | $50,790 | $37,760 | $64,400 | ** | ** | ** |
| 6 | Vermont profile | $24.08 | $50,090 | $40,890 | $67,210 | 150 | 0.51 | 1.11 |
| 7 | Maryland profile | $24.07 | $50,070 | $39,460 | $66,820 | 1,300 | 0.47 | 1.03 |
| 8 | Oregon profile | $24.05 | $50,020 | $40,670 | $67,210 | 1,060 | 0.54 | 1.18 |
| 9 | Alaska profile | $24.02 | $49,970 | $44,480 | $69,680 | 90 | 0.28 | 0.61 |
| 10 | Massachusetts profile | $23.92 | $49,750 | $38,480 | $80,220 | 2,330 | 0.64 | 1.40 |
| 11 | New Hampshire profile | $23.61 | $49,110 | $39,380 | $63,930 | 300 | 0.44 | 0.95 |
| 12 | New Jersey profile | $23.58 | $49,050 | $39,970 | $58,250 | 4,150 | 0.97 | 2.12 |
| 13 | Washington profile | $23.48 | $48,840 | $39,840 | $79,300 | 1,250 | 0.35 | 0.77 |
| 14 | New York profile | $23.29 | $48,440 | $39,100 | $68,510 | 4,250 | 0.44 | 0.96 |
| 15 | Connecticut profile | $23.21 | $48,270 | $40,200 | $65,820 | 780 | 0.46 | 1.00 |
| 16 | Maine profile | $23.14 | $48,120 | $39,370 | $61,230 | 320 | 0.50 | 1.09 |
| 17 | Montana profile | $22.74 | $47,290 | $35,420 | $64,370 | 380 | 0.74 | 1.63 |
| 18 | Illinois profile | $22.64 | $47,100 | $36,190 | $60,490 | 3,250 | 0.53 | 1.17 |
| 19 | Arizona profile | $22.61 | $47,040 | $38,370 | $55,300 | 1,630 | 0.50 | 1.10 |
| 20 | Florida profile | $22.51 | $46,830 | $36,330 | $59,100 | 7,020 | 0.71 | 1.55 |
| 21 | Michigan profile | $22.48 | $46,750 | $37,270 | $59,170 | 1,800 | 0.41 | 0.90 |
| 22 | Rhode Island profile | $22.36 | $46,500 | $39,380 | $60,280 | 410 | 0.82 | 1.79 |
| 23 | Colorado profile | $22.24 | $46,260 | $37,150 | $65,790 | 1,470 | 0.51 | 1.12 |
| 24 | North Dakota profile | $22.21 | $46,190 | $39,110 | $59,920 | 220 | 0.52 | 1.14 |
| 25 | Nebraska profile | $21.74 | $45,210 | $37,330 | $53,350 | 530 | 0.52 | 1.13 |
| 26 | North Carolina profile | $21.71 | $45,150 | $36,260 | $61,970 | 1,630 | 0.33 | 0.72 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania profile | $21.66 | $45,050 | $36,300 | $55,900 | 2,890 | 0.48 | 1.04 |
| 28 | Delaware profile | $21.42 | $44,540 | $33,610 | $63,250 | ** | ** | ** |
| 29 | Iowa profile | $21.17 | $44,030 | $36,860 | $58,610 | 500 | 0.32 | 0.70 |
| 30 | Kansas profile | $21.01 | $43,700 | $32,710 | $58,760 | 630 | 0.44 | 0.96 |
| 31 | Texas profile | $20.98 | $43,640 | $31,930 | $58,130 | 6,540 | 0.47 | 1.02 |
| 32 | Indiana profile | $20.91 | $43,490 | $34,990 | $57,130 | 1,610 | 0.50 | 1.10 |
| 33 | South Dakota profile | $20.40 | $42,430 | $36,450 | $56,730 | 300 | 0.65 | 1.43 |
| 34 | Virginia profile | $19.68 | $40,920 | $36,170 | $52,280 | 1,540 | 0.37 | 0.82 |
| 35 | South Carolina profile | $19.42 | $40,400 | $33,000 | $51,360 | 1,470 | 0.64 | 1.40 |
| 36 | Ohio profile | $19.40 | $40,350 | $34,570 | $53,420 | 2,510 | 0.45 | 0.99 |
| 37 | Missouri profile | $19.37 | $40,290 | $31,470 | $50,530 | 960 | 0.33 | 0.72 |
| 38 | Georgia profile | $18.82 | $39,150 | $34,180 | $60,010 | 2,570 | 0.53 | 1.15 |
| 39 | Kentucky profile | $18.75 | $38,990 | $30,320 | $51,840 | 1,570 | 0.79 | 1.72 |
| 40 | Tennessee profile | $18.70 | $38,890 | $32,870 | $60,170 | 1,760 | 0.54 | 1.18 |
| 41 | Louisiana profile | $18.63 | $38,750 | $31,130 | $51,630 | 890 | 0.46 | 1.01 |
| 42 | New Mexico profile | $18.56 | $38,610 | $35,250 | $58,630 | 400 | 0.46 | 1.01 |
| 43 | Idaho profile | $18.41 | $38,280 | $34,760 | $49,440 | 230 | 0.26 | 0.58 |
| 44 | Oklahoma profile | $18.23 | $37,920 | $29,330 | $48,260 | 980 | 0.57 | 1.25 |
| 45 | Nevada profile | $18.11 | $37,660 | $35,530 | $49,360 | 960 | 0.62 | 1.35 |
| 46 | Arkansas profile | $17.95 | $37,340 | $30,210 | $47,160 | 540 | 0.41 | 0.91 |
| 47 | West Virginia profile | $17.66 | $36,730 | $26,470 | $46,180 | 260 | 0.37 | 0.81 |
| 48 | Alabama profile | $17.63 | $36,680 | $29,120 | $47,690 | 1,260 | 0.60 | 1.30 |
| 49 | Mississippi profile | $17.41 | $36,220 | $29,480 | $45,140 | 690 | 0.59 | 1.29 |
| 50 | Utah profile | $17.29 | $35,950 | $30,440 | $49,460 | 680 | 0.39 | 0.85 |
| 51 | Wyoming profile | $17.18 | $35,740 | $34,870 | $46,280 | 110 | 0.38 | 0.83 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (29-2050), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 29-2057 Ophthalmic Medical Technicians.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 29-2057, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 29-2057.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.