Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
SOC: 29-2057 O*NET: 29-2057.00
Median Salary
$44,080
per year
Job Growth
🚀 19.8%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
12.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
What does a Ophthalmic Medical Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,210
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,100
25th percentile
Median
$44,080
50th percentile
Experienced
$49,730
75th percentile
Top Earners
$60,810
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,210
25th
$37,100
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$44,080
Mean: $45,360
75th
$49,730
90th
$60,810
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $26,600 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,100 and $49,730
- •Salary spread is 28.7% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 76,520 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:78,800
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services89.2%
Offices of Physicians59.8%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners27.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+19.8%
Annual Openings:12,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)78,800
Current
2034 (Projected)94,400
+19.8%
+15,600
Employment Change
+19.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Ophthalmic Medical Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Florida
7,160 jobs$45,3001.47x
Texas
6,980 jobs$38,7701.02x
New York
6,260 jobs$46,9101.32x
California
4,090 jobs$47,9400.46x
Massachusetts
3,430 jobs$47,4501.90x
Pennsylvania
3,230 jobs$44,6201.08x
Ohio
3,040 jobs$40,0001.11x
Tennessee
2,300 jobs$38,7201.41x
Virginia
2,250 jobs$41,6001.12x
Illinois
2,210 jobs$44,7900.73x
Michigan
2,180 jobs$45,0701.00x
Arizona
2,080 jobs$41,7901.31x
North Carolina
2,000 jobs$40,9900.82x
Kentucky
1,830 jobs$38,7401.85x
New Jersey
1,760 jobs$47,4600.84x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Social Perceptiveness
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Critical Thinking
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Medical Assistants100%
5 shared skills
Phlebotomists100%
5 shared skills
Physical Therapist Aides100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Freight Forwarders82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Coordination
- →Monitoring
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (2)
1
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Assess refractive conditions of eyes, using retinoscopes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Assist patients to insert or remove contact lenses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Call patients to inquire about their post-operative status or recovery.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Instruct patients in the care and use of contact lenses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development79% perform86%
9
Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.82
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.81
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.76
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.76
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.62
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.48
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Dependability
4.8
Attention to Detail
4.8
Concern for Others
4.6
Cooperation
4.5
Stress Tolerance
4.3
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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