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Ophthalmic Assistant and Technician Salary, Job Overview

Ophthalmic assistants and technicians specialize in working with the eye. These individuals work with ophthalmologists to provide patient care by assisting with common clinical duties.

According to Payscale.com, the average hourly wage for an ophthalmic assistant is $14.62 per hour on average, and the median salary is 33,676. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for ophthalmic technicians is $17.64 per hour or 36,690 per year.

Ophthalmic Assistant and Technician Job Duties

Ophthalmic assistants typically do the following tasks:

  • Assist or perform vision tests
  • Administer eye medication
  • Perform clerical duties
  • Explain patient procedures
  • Perform basic eye examinations and other diagnostic tests

Ophthalmic technicians may perform the same duties as an assistant, as well as the following duties:

  • Operate equipment such as a Lensometer, Keratometer, and Opthalmometer

Education Requirements for Ophthalmic Assistants and Techs

Education Requirements for Assistants:

Some employers may only require a high school diploma and provide on-the-job training. However, many employers prefer that you complete an accredited program and/or become certified. Individuals can complete a program in about 6-12 months. To become a Certified Ophthalmic Assistant (COA), individuals must complete an accredited program and pass the certification examination.

Education Requirements for Technicians:

To become a technicians, you must generally complete an accredited training program, which usually takes about 1-2 years. You can then become a Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) by completing an accredited program, gaining any necessary work experience (depending on the certification level), and y passing the certification exam.

Certification requirements and training programs can vary, depending on your location and state requirements (if any). To learn more about the different certification levels (and a list of accredited programs), visit the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (jcahpo.org).

Job Likes and Dislikes:

Here are a few things that ophthalmic assistants and technicians like about their job:

  • They only focus on the eyes. Although these individuals are not nurses, they often consider themselves to be “nurses of the eyes.”
  • They always learn something new.
  • They enjoy patient interaction.

Here are a few things that ophthalmic assistants and technicians dislike about their job:

  • Some facilities are fast-paced and workers must see many patients, which can be tiring.
  • The job market is competitive in some areas.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dental and ophthalmic laboratory technicians is projected to grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations.

According to Payscale.com, the average hourly wage for an ophthalmic assistant is $14.62 per hour on average, whereas the median salary is 33,676. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage for ophthalmic technicians is $17.64 per hour or 36,690 per year.

The salary statistics below apply to ophthalmic technicians.

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Employment Employment RSE Mean hourly wage Mean annual wage Wage RSE
39,160 3.3 % $17.64 $36,690 0.7 %

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50% (Median) 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $11.68 $13.95 $16.99 $20.66 $24.42
Annual Wage $24,300 $29,010 $35,350 $42,980 $50,790

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Offices of Physicians 25,880 1.03 $18.04 $37,520
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 9,480 1.18 $15.31 $31,840
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 1,270 0.02 $22.81 $47,440
Outpatient Care Centers 970 0.13 $21.20 $44,090
Health and Personal Care Stores 450 0.04 $15.51 $32,260

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 1,270 0.02 $22.81 $47,440
Outpatient Care Centers 970 0.13 $21.20 $44,090
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools 330 0.01 $21.11 $43,900
Scientific Research and Development Services n/a n/a $20.35 $42,330
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 350 0.14 $20.10 $41,810

Top paying states for this occupation:

State Employment Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Minnesota 830 0.30 1.05 $21.20 $44,110
Hawaii 310 0.50 1.76 $20.88 $43,430
North Dakota 100 0.23 0.81 $20.47 $42,570
Washington 940 0.31 1.10 $20.34 $42,300
Massachusetts 960 0.28 1.00 $20.17 $41,960

Lowest paying states for ophthalmic techs:

State Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Puerto Rico $14.21 $29,560
Georgia $14.23 $29,610
Arkansas $14.24 $29,620
Nebraska $14.65 $30,460
Alabama $14.70 $30,570
South Dakota $15.71 $32,670
Missouri $15.80 $32,860

Salary for ophthalmic technicians for all 50 states:

State Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Alabama $14.70 $30,570
Alaska $19.45 $40,460
Arizona $17.23 $35,840
Arkansas $14.24 $29,620
California $19.60 $40,760
Colorado $18.12 $37,690
Connecticut $19.90 $41,400
Delaware $18.85 $39,210
Florida $17.90 $37,230
Georgia $14.23 $29,610
Hawaii $20.88 $43,430
Idaho $16.55 $34,420
Illinois $16.49 $34,290
Indiana $17.72 $36,860
Iowa $15.99 $33,250
Kansas $16.32 $33,940
Kentucky $17.74 $36,900
Louisiana $17.55 $36,500
Maine $18.13 $37,710
Maryland $19.44 $40,440
Massachusetts $20.17 $41,960
Michigan $17.10 $35,570
Minnesota $21.20 $44,110
Mississippi $16.55 $34,420
Missouri $15.80 $32,860
Montana $19.43 $40,420
Nebraska $14.65 $30,460
Nevada $16.89 $35,120
New Hampshire $18.39 $38,260
New Jersey $18.92 $39,360
New Mexico $17.82 $37,070
New York $18.52 $38,530
North Carolina $16.65 $34,630
North Dakota $20.47 $42,570
Ohio $17.93 $37,300
Oklahoma $15.83 $32,930
Oregon $18.99 $39,500
Pennsylvania $16.60 $34,530
Puerto Rico $14.21 $29,560
South Carolina $17.29 $35,960
South Dakota $15.71 $32,670
Tennessee $16.20 $33,690
Texas $15.99 $33,270
Utah $16.40 $34,120
Vermont $19.75 $41,090
Virginia $16.89 $35,130
Washington $20.34 $42,300
West Virginia $16.66 $34,650
Wisconsin $19.93 $41,450
Wyoming $16.34 $33,980

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians on the Internet at bls.gov.

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