How much does a ophthalmic medical technician make?
The median ophthalmic medical technician in the United States earns $44,080 per year, about $21.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all ophthalmic medical technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-2057.
Ophthalmic medical technician salary range
Pay for ophthalmic medical technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,210 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $60,810. The average (mean) wage of $45,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,210 | $16.45 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,100 | $17.84 | |
| Median (50th) | $44,080 | $21.19 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,730 | $23.91 | |
| 90th percentile | $60,810 | $29.24 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for ophthalmic medical technicians (SOC 29-2057), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Ophthalmic medical technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Ophthalmic medical technicians earn the most in Minnesota at $60,810 a year, and the least in Wyoming at $31,720. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $60,810 | 990 |
| Wisconsin | $50,660 | 1,210 |
| Vermont | $49,080 | 180 |
| Washington | $48,960 | 1,430 |
| Oregon | $48,730 | 1,410 |
| Connecticut | $48,520 | 630 |
| California | $47,940 | 4,090 |
| Maryland | $47,490 | 1,550 |
| New Jersey | $47,460 | 1,760 |
| Massachusetts | $47,450 | 3,430 |
| New Hampshire | $47,240 | 400 |
| Montana | $47,110 | 490 |
| New York | $46,910 | 6,260 |
| Hawaii | $46,850 | 160 |
| Alaska | $46,780 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $46,090 | 260 |
| District of Columbia | $45,860 | N/A |
| Maine | $45,640 | 290 |
| Florida | $45,300 | 7,160 |
| Michigan | $45,070 | 2,180 |
| North Dakota | $44,970 | 230 |
| Colorado | $44,820 | 1,580 |
| Illinois | $44,790 | 2,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,620 | 3,230 |
| Nebraska | $44,600 | 720 |
| Iowa | $44,160 | 640 |
| Indiana | $43,200 | 1,660 |
| Arizona | $41,790 | 2,080 |
| Delaware | $41,730 | 80 |
| Virginia | $41,600 | 2,250 |
| West Virginia | $41,600 | 270 |
| North Carolina | $40,990 | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $40,000 | 3,040 |
| Louisiana | $39,100 | 910 |
| South Carolina | $38,840 | 1,650 |
| Idaho | $38,830 | 240 |
| Texas | $38,770 | 6,980 |
| South Dakota | $38,760 | 440 |
| Kansas | $38,750 | 590 |
| Kentucky | $38,740 | 1,830 |
| Tennessee | $38,720 | 2,300 |
| Georgia | $37,900 | 1,690 |
| Nevada | $37,630 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $37,510 | 260 |
| Missouri | $36,600 | 830 |
| Alabama | $36,260 | 1,330 |
| Arkansas | $36,160 | 520 |
| Utah | $36,000 | 750 |
| Mississippi | $35,960 | 760 |
| Oklahoma | $35,800 | 760 |
| Wyoming | $31,720 | 60 |
State median wages for ophthalmic medical technicians (SOC 29-2057), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for ophthalmic medical technicians
The BLS projects employment of ophthalmic medical technicians to grow 21.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 72,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 88,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 11,800 openings a year for ophthalmic medical technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an ophthalmic medical technician
The typical entry-level education for ophthalmic medical technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, according to the BLS.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an ophthalmic medical technician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Minnesota, $60,810) and the lowest (Wyoming, $31,720) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 76,520 people work as ophthalmic medical technicians in the United States. At $44,080 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Ophthalmic medical technician salary FAQ
How much does an ophthalmic medical technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an ophthalmic medical technician is $21.19. The middle half of ophthalmic medical technicians earn between $17.84 and $23.91 per hour.
What is the highest ophthalmic medical technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of ophthalmic medical technicians earn more than $60,810 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an ophthalmic medical technician make a year?
The median annual salary for an ophthalmic medical technician is $44,080. The average (mean) wage of $45,360 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an ophthalmic medical technician a well paid job?
At $44,080 a year, an ophthalmic medical technician earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 76,520 people work as ophthalmic medical technicians in the United States.
Which state pays ophthalmic medical technicians the most?
Minnesota has the highest median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians at $60,810 a year. Wisconsin ($50,660) and Vermont ($49,080) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an ophthalmic medical technician a good career?
Employment of ophthalmic medical technicians is projected to grow 21.4% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 11,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an ophthalmic medical technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for ophthalmic medical technicians as a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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