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Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$50,290

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$38k – $85k

Job outlook

+5% (faster than average)

AI exposure

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports one wage for this occupational group, which covers 3 related roles — so read the median as an approximate group figure, and the range as the truer picture for this specific title. BLS source.

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

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Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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Typical progression

  1. Junior Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

    Entry / Junior

    $38,180

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

    Established

    $50,290

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

    Senior

    $67,780

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.