Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
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.
Also called: Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician (Certified Ophthalmic Medical Tech) · Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant · Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) · Certified Ophthalmic Technician-Surgical Assistant (COT-SA) · Health Technician (Health Tech) · Ophthalmic Assistant
Median pay (national)
$44,080
$34,210–$60,810 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
76,520
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+19.8%
~12,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Postsecondary nondegree award
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for ophthalmic medical technicians shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $60,810 versus $34,210 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $44,080 leaves roughly 38% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +19.8% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 12,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, Minnesota pays the most for this role (median $60,810, +38% vs the national median), while Wyoming sits lowest at $31,720 — a 92% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
- Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
- Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
- Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
- Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
- Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
- Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.
- Maintain ophthalmic instruments or equipment.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- AcuityPro
- EyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMR
- ezChartWriter
- iChartPlus
- Medflow Complete
- MediPro Medisoft Clinical
- NaviNet Open
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Psychology