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Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

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Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $50,290/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$38,180$85,270

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +5.2% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.

About 13,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
Active ListeningSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationCritical ThinkingWritingInstructingReading ComprehensionCoordinationMonitoring
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMedicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingMathematicsAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementComputers and Electronics
Core tasks

• Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.

• Take and document patients' medical histories.

• Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements, such as axial length measurements, of the eye or surrounding tissue.

• Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.

• Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.

• Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.

• Calculate corrections for refractive errors.

• Collect ophthalmic measurements or other diagnostic information, using ultrasound equipment, such as A-scan ultrasound biometry or B-scan ultrasonography equipment.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?

The median pay for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists is $50,290 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?

Employment for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists is projected to change +5.2% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?

Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.

How many job openings are there each year for Ophthalmic Medical Technologists?

About 13,600 openings per year, on average, over the decade.