Careers / Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
Ophthalmic Medical Technologists — Career Decision Dashboard
United States
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Report generated from official BLS OEWS and O*NET data — United States.
Median annual wage
$50,290
United States, 2025
Employment
182,610
United States, 2025
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Job Zone 3
Skills identified
35
10 related careers
Career overview
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.
- O*NET code
- 29-2099.05
- Job zone
- 3
- Experience required
- Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Typical tasks
- Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
- Conduct low vision blindness tests.
- Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- 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.
Choose a location
Salary analysis — United States
10th percentile
$38,180
25th percentile
$44,170
75th percentile
$64,340
90th percentile
$85,270
Most important skills
- Speaking3.9
- Active Listening3.9
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Service Orientation3.4
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Instructing3.1
- Writing3.1
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Coordination3.1
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Learning3.0
- Time Management3.0
What skills do you need?
Select the skills you already have
Skills listed are those O*NET rates at importance 3.0 or above for this occupation. Set your own level on the same 0–7 O*NET scale.
Skill coverage
0%
0 of 15 identified skills
Matched
0
Missing
15
Your selected skills cover approximately 0% of the skills identified for this occupation in O*NET. This is a coverage measure of listed skills only — it is not a qualification, hiring or interview outcome.
Skills to develop
| Skill | Importance | Required level | Your level | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | 4.0 | Not selected | 4.0 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 | 3.9 | Not selected | 3.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 | 3.3 | Not selected | 3.3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 | 3.6 | Not selected | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.1 | 3.5 | Not selected | 3.5 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Coordination | 3.1 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.1 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.0 | 3.1 | Not selected | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 | 3.0 | Not selected | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | 2.9 | Not selected | 2.9 |
Ordered by required level gap multiplied by O*NET importance. No prediction or recommendation is implied.
Related careers
Supplemental
National median not published
Compare with Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsSupplemental
National median $105,310
Compare with Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsSupplemental
National median $135,880
Compare with Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsSupplemental
National median $358,550
Compare with Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsSupplemental
National median $300,080
Compare with Ophthalmic Medical TechnologistsHow salary varies by location
| Location | Median | Employment | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick, WA | $105,650 | 420 | 2025 |
| San Jose, CA | $81,170 | 1,330 | 2025 |
| WY | $80,520 | 90 | 2025 |
| DE | $78,650 | 110 | 2025 |
| VI | $72,450 | 30 | 2025 |
| San Francisco, CA | $71,360 | 3,070 | 2025 |
| Vallejo, CA | $68,960 | 310 | 2025 |
| Albany, OR | $68,700 | 40 | 2025 |
| Lexington, KY | $66,890 | 620 | 2025 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $64,970 | 200 | 2025 |
| Madison, WI | $64,580 | 370 | 2025 |
| Napa, CA | $64,400 | 80 | 2025 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $64,170 | 90 | 2025 |
| Boulder, CO | $63,920 | 150 | 2025 |
| Seattle, WA | $63,720 | 1,990 | 2025 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $63,500 | 40 | 2025 |
| Kahului, HI | $63,360 | 90 | 2025 |
| Portland, OR | $62,720 | 1,090 | 2025 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,690 | 130 | 2025 |
| Bangor, ME | $62,670 | 60 | 2025 |
Career transition paths
Compare the skills of a career you hold today with Ophthalmic Medical Technologists to see shared skills, target-only skills and skill overlap.
Build a transition comparisonCareer and skills data: O*NET 31.0.
Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, 2025 (May 2025 release).
Figures are periodic published survey snapshots, not real-time market rates.