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.