29 Series · SOC 29-2057
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $45,570
- Median / year
- $61,940
- Top 10% earn
- +19.8%
- Growth '23–'33
- 71,010
- US workers
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earn a median of $45,570 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $45,570, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $35,700 (10th percentile) to $61,940 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 71,010 US workers. Minnesota pays the most ($63,080), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earn a median of $45,570, putting them among the lower-paid US occupations and higher than 20% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Healthcare Practitioners and Technical, it ranks #68 of 71 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 19.8% by 2033.
- $45,570
- Median annual wage
- Top 80%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #68 of 71
- in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- 1.7×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Minnesota at $63,080. Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2057) pays a national median of $45,570 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $35,700 at the 10th percentile to $61,940 at the 90th, with a mean of $47,060 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 71,010 Americans work in this occupation across 52 reporting states and 316 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +19.8% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as much faster than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 12,500 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Postsecondary nondegree award. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.7 per 100,000 and injury rate of 1.5 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Minnesota pays the highest state median at $63,080, which is +38% above the national figure. The top metro is Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA at $102,540 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
BLS OEWS May 2025 71,010 jobs Median $45,570/yr
Median Salary
$45,570
per year
Median Hourly
$21.91/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$47,060
average
Employment
71,010
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$45,570 Bottom 20% higher than 20% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 29-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Ophthalmic Medical Technicians; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 25 29-series occupations with growth data, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians sits on the faster-growing side at +19.8% growth and $45,570 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+19.8%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
12,500
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → A
Very Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
0.7/100K
Injury Rate
1.5/100
Danger Index
6.4/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Active Listening 3.6
Speaking 3.3
Reading Comprehension 3.1
Writing 3.1
Social Perceptiveness 3.1
Service Orientation 3.1
Critical Thinking 3.0
Active Learning 3.0
Monitoring 3.0
Coordination 3.0
Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service 4.3
Medicine and Dentistry 4.2
English Language 4.0
Mathematics 3.3
Administrative 2.9
Education and Training 2.8
Computers and Electronics 2.7
Psychology 2.6
Biology 2.5
Administration and Management 2.4
Key Tasks
- ▸ Take and document patients' medical histories.
- ▸ 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.
- ▸ Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$35,700
25th Percentile
$38,170
Median
$45,570
75th Percentile
$51,390
90th Percentile
$61,940
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
Lowest Paying States
View all 52 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $63,080 | +38% above national |
| 2 | Hawaii | $58,240 | +28% above national |
| 3 | Wisconsin | $56,420 | +24% above national |
| 4 | California | $54,490 | +20% above national |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $50,790 | +11% above national |
| 6 | Vermont | $50,090 | +10% above national |
| 7 | Maryland | $50,070 | +10% above national |
| 8 | Oregon | $50,020 | +10% above national |
| 9 | Alaska | $49,970 | +10% above national |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $49,750 | +9% above national |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $49,110 | +8% above national |
| 12 | New Jersey | $49,050 | +8% above national |
| 13 | Washington | $48,840 | +7% above national |
| 14 | New York | $48,440 | +6% above national |
| 15 | Connecticut | $48,270 | +6% above national |
| 16 | Maine | $48,120 | +6% above national |
| 17 | Montana | $47,290 | +4% above national |
| 18 | Illinois | $47,100 | +3% above national |
| 19 | Arizona | $47,040 | +3% above national |
| 20 | Florida | $46,830 | +3% above national |
| 21 | Michigan | $46,750 | +3% above national |
| 22 | Rhode Island | $46,500 | +2% above national |
| 23 | Colorado | $46,260 | +2% above national |
| 24 | North Dakota | $46,190 | +1% above national |
| 25 | Nebraska | $45,210 | 1% below national |
| 26 | North Carolina | $45,150 | 1% below national |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $45,050 | 1% below national |
| 28 | Delaware | $44,540 | 2% below national |
| 29 | Iowa | $44,030 | 3% below national |
| 30 | Kansas | $43,700 | 4% below national |
| 31 | Texas | $43,640 | 4% below national |
| 32 | Indiana | $43,490 | 5% below national |
| 33 | South Dakota | $42,430 | 7% below national |
| 34 | Virginia | $40,920 | 10% below national |
| 35 | South Carolina | $40,400 | 11% below national |
| 36 | Ohio | $40,350 | 11% below national |
| 37 | Missouri | $40,290 | 12% below national |
| 38 | Georgia | $39,150 | 14% below national |
| 39 | Kentucky | $38,990 | 14% below national |
| 40 | Tennessee | $38,890 | 15% below national |
| 41 | Louisiana | $38,750 | 15% below national |
| 42 | New Mexico | $38,610 | 15% below national |
| 43 | Idaho | $38,280 | 16% below national |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $37,920 | 17% below national |
| 45 | Nevada | $37,660 | 17% below national |
| 46 | Arkansas | $37,340 | 18% below national |
| 47 | West Virginia | $36,730 | 19% below national |
| 48 | Alabama | $36,680 | 20% below national |
| 49 | Mississippi | $36,220 | 21% below national |
| 50 | Utah | $35,950 | 21% below national |
| 51 | Wyoming | $35,740 | 22% below national |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $31,630 | 31% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 316 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $102,540 | +125% above national |
| 2 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $65,000 | +43% above national |
| 3 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,300 | +39% above national |
| 4 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $63,080 | +38% above national |
| 5 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $62,390 | +37% above national |
| 6 | Duluth, MN-WI | $61,880 | +36% above national |
| 7 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,580 | +35% above national |
| 8 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,600 | +33% above national |
| 9 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,440 | +33% above national |
| 10 | Bend, OR | $59,990 | +32% above national |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $59,180 | +30% above national |
| 12 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $58,240 | +28% above national |
| 13 | Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $57,550 | +26% above national |
| 14 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $56,010 | +23% above national |
| 15 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $55,710 | +22% above national |
| 16 | Ithaca, NY | $55,570 | +22% above national |
| 17 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $55,100 | +21% above national |
| 18 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,990 | +18% above national |
| 19 | Anchorage, AK | $52,710 | +16% above national |
| 20 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $52,670 | +16% above national |
| 21 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $52,600 | +15% above national |
| 22 | Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $52,500 | +15% above national |
| 23 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $51,620 | +13% above national |
| 24 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $51,380 | +13% above national |
| 25 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $51,300 | +13% above national |
| 26 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $51,020 | +12% above national |
| 27 | Green Bay, WI | $50,730 | +11% above national |
| 28 | Lancaster, PA | $50,700 | +11% above national |
| 29 | Salem, OR | $50,600 | +11% above national |
| 30 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $50,310 | +10% above national |
| 31 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $50,280 | +10% above national |
| 32 | Grants Pass, OR | $50,020 | +10% above national |
| 33 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $50,010 | +10% above national |
| 34 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $49,950 | +10% above national |
| 35 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $49,870 | +9% above national |
| 36 | Bozeman, MT | $49,810 | +9% above national |
| 37 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $49,780 | +9% above national |
| 38 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $49,710 | +9% above national |
| 39 | Grand Junction, CO | $49,620 | +9% above national |
| 40 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $49,620 | +9% above national |
| 41 | Sheboygan, WI | $49,610 | +9% above national |
| 42 | Worcester, MA | $49,610 | +9% above national |
| 43 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $49,460 | +9% above national |
| 44 | Missoula, MT | $49,430 | +8% above national |
| 45 | Boulder, CO | $49,340 | +8% above national |
| 46 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $49,330 | +8% above national |
| 47 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $49,300 | +8% above national |
| 48 | Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $49,250 | +8% above national |
| 49 | Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $49,110 | +8% above national |
| 50 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $49,040 | +8% above national |
| 51 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $48,830 | +7% above national |
| 52 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $48,680 | +7% above national |
| 53 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $48,620 | +7% above national |
| 54 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $48,570 | +7% above national |
| 55 | Ann Arbor, MI | $48,560 | +7% above national |
| 56 | Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $48,240 | +6% above national |
| 57 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $48,220 | +6% above national |
| 58 | Great Falls, MT | $48,140 | +6% above national |
| 59 | Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $48,090 | +6% above national |
| 60 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $48,050 | +5% above national |
| 61 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $47,950 | +5% above national |
| 62 | Fargo, ND-MN | $47,700 | +5% above national |
| 63 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,680 | +5% above national |
| 64 | Wausau, WI | $47,660 | +5% above national |
| 65 | Lawrence, KS | $47,620 | +4% above national |
| 66 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $47,540 | +4% above national |
| 67 | Appleton, WI | $47,520 | +4% above national |
| 68 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $47,490 | +4% above national |
| 69 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $47,420 | +4% above national |
| 70 | Flint, MI | $47,370 | +4% above national |
| 71 | New Haven, CT | $47,370 | +4% above national |
| 72 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $47,320 | +4% above national |
| 73 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $47,290 | +4% above national |
| 74 | Omaha, NE-IA | $47,270 | +4% above national |
| 75 | Utica-Rome, NY | $47,220 | +4% above national |
| 76 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $47,210 | +4% above national |
| 77 | Billings, MT | $47,070 | +3% above national |
| 78 | Rochester, NY | $47,030 | +3% above national |
| 79 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $47,030 | +3% above national |
| 80 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $47,010 | +3% above national |
| 81 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $46,990 | +3% above national |
| 82 | Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $46,860 | +3% above national |
| 83 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,850 | +3% above national |
| 84 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $46,790 | +3% above national |
| 85 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $46,690 | +2% above national |
| 86 | Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $46,650 | +2% above national |
| 87 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $46,640 | +2% above national |
| 88 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $46,630 | +2% above national |
| 89 | Bismarck, ND | $46,620 | +2% above national |
| 90 | Ocala, FL | $46,570 | +2% above national |
| 91 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $46,530 | +2% above national |
| 92 | Fresno, CA | $46,500 | +2% above national |
| 93 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $46,500 | +2% above national |
| 94 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $46,490 | +2% above national |
| 95 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $46,470 | +2% above national |
| 96 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $46,450 | +2% above national |
| 97 | Medford, OR | $46,360 | +2% above national |
| 98 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $46,280 | +2% above national |
| 99 | Winston-Salem, NC | $46,280 | +2% above national |
| 100 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $46,230 | +1% above national |
| 101 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $46,080 | +1% above national |
| 102 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $46,050 | +1% above national |
| 103 | Traverse City, MI | $45,990 | +1% above national |
| 104 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $45,940 | +1% above national |
| 105 | Albany, OR | $45,850 | +1% above national |
| 106 | Springfield, MA | $45,810 | +1% above national |
| 107 | Syracuse, NY | $45,790 | same as national |
| 108 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $45,770 | same as national |
| 109 | Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $45,740 | same as national |
| 110 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,610 | same as national |
| 111 | Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $45,610 | same as national |
| 112 | Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $45,580 | same as national |
| 113 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $45,560 | same as national |
| 114 | Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $45,550 | same as national |
| 115 | Wilmington, NC | $45,530 | same as national |
| 116 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $45,450 | same as national |
| 117 | Lincoln, NE | $45,330 | 1% below national |
| 118 | Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $45,210 | 1% below national |
| 119 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,120 | 1% below national |
| 120 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $45,120 | 1% below national |
| 121 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $45,030 | 1% below national |
| 122 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $44,960 | 1% below national |
| 123 | Bellingham, WA | $44,950 | 1% below national |
| 124 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $44,910 | 1% below national |
| 125 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $44,810 | 2% below national |
| 126 | Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $44,810 | 2% below national |
| 127 | East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $44,770 | 2% below national |
| 128 | Grand Island, NE | $44,750 | 2% below national |
| 129 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $44,640 | 2% below national |
| 130 | Binghamton, NY | $44,610 | 2% below national |
| 131 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $44,570 | 2% below national |
| 132 | Charlottesville, VA | $44,560 | 2% below national |
| 133 | North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $44,440 | 2% below national |
| 134 | Greeley, CO | $44,390 | 3% below national |
| 135 | Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $44,370 | 3% below national |
| 136 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,230 | 3% below national |
| 137 | Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $44,200 | 3% below national |
| 138 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $44,110 | 3% below national |
| 139 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $44,070 | 3% below national |
| 140 | Fort Wayne, IN | $43,990 | 3% below national |
| 141 | Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $43,900 | 4% below national |
| 142 | Pittsburgh, PA | $43,890 | 4% below national |
| 143 | Reading, PA | $43,810 | 4% below national |
| 144 | Colorado Springs, CO | $43,760 | 4% below national |
| 145 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $43,700 | 4% below national |
| 146 | Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $43,690 | 4% below national |
| 147 | Tallahassee, FL | $43,640 | 4% below national |
| 148 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $43,580 | 4% below national |
| 149 | York-Hanover, PA | $43,400 | 5% below national |
| 150 | Columbia, MO | $43,300 | 5% below national |
| 151 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $43,180 | 5% below national |
| 152 | Pueblo, CO | $43,150 | 5% below national |
| 153 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $42,860 | 6% below national |
| 154 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $42,790 | 6% below national |
| 155 | Iowa City, IA | $42,730 | 6% below national |
| 156 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $42,510 | 7% below national |
| 157 | Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $42,490 | 7% below national |
| 158 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $42,430 | 7% below national |
| 159 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $41,710 | 8% below national |
| 160 | Springfield, IL | $41,650 | 9% below national |
| 161 | Cleveland, OH | $41,620 | 9% below national |
| 162 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $41,410 | 9% below national |
| 163 | Santa Fe, NM | $41,130 | 10% below national |
| 164 | Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $40,980 | 10% below national |
| 165 | Columbus, OH | $40,980 | 10% below national |
| 166 | East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $40,910 | 10% below national |
| 167 | Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $40,900 | 10% below national |
| 168 | Roanoke, VA | $40,560 | 11% below national |
| 169 | Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $40,560 | 11% below national |
| 170 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $40,400 | 11% below national |
| 171 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $40,260 | 12% below national |
| 172 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $40,180 | 12% below national |
| 173 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $40,160 | 12% below national |
| 174 | Winchester, VA-WV | $40,100 | 12% below national |
| 175 | Savannah, GA | $40,010 | 12% below national |
| 176 | Reno, NV | $39,920 | 12% below national |
| 177 | Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $39,920 | 12% below national |
| 178 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $39,890 | 12% below national |
| 179 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $39,870 | 13% below national |
| 180 | Toledo, OH | $39,840 | 13% below national |
| 181 | Morristown, TN | $39,630 | 13% below national |
| 182 | Wichita, KS | $39,620 | 13% below national |
| 183 | Akron, OH | $39,540 | 13% below national |
| 184 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $39,520 | 13% below national |
| 185 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $39,520 | 13% below national |
| 186 | Albuquerque, NM | $39,500 | 13% below national |
| 187 | St. George, UT | $39,490 | 13% below national |
| 188 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,440 | 13% below national |
| 189 | Salisbury, MD | $39,380 | 14% below national |
| 190 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $39,320 | 14% below national |
| 191 | Rapid City, SD | $39,300 | 14% below national |
| 192 | Twin Falls, ID | $39,270 | 14% below national |
| 193 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $39,270 | 14% below national |
| 194 | Tucson, AZ | $39,250 | 14% below national |
| 195 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $39,220 | 14% below national |
| 196 | Ogden, UT | $39,210 | 14% below national |
| 197 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $39,150 | 14% below national |
| 198 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $39,150 | 14% below national |
| 199 | Knoxville, TN | $39,140 | 14% below national |
| 200 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $39,140 | 14% below national |
| 201 | Richmond, VA | $39,120 | 14% below national |
| 202 | Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $39,060 | 14% below national |
| 203 | Paducah, KY-IL | $38,990 | 14% below national |
| 204 | Springfield, MO | $38,900 | 15% below national |
| 205 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $38,850 | 15% below national |
| 206 | Decatur, AL | $38,820 | 15% below national |
| 207 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,760 | 15% below national |
| 208 | Baton Rouge, LA | $38,750 | 15% below national |
| 209 | Spartanburg, SC | $38,740 | 15% below national |
| 210 | Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $38,740 | 15% below national |
| 211 | Jackson, MS | $38,710 | 15% below national |
| 212 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,630 | 15% below national |
| 213 | Columbia, SC | $38,570 | 15% below national |
| 214 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $38,540 | 15% below national |
| 215 | Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $38,530 | 15% below national |
| 216 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $38,530 | 15% below national |
| 217 | Tulsa, OK | $38,390 | 16% below national |
| 218 | Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $38,370 | 16% below national |
| 219 | Jacksonville, FL | $38,360 | 16% below national |
| 220 | Muncie, IN | $38,340 | 16% below national |
| 221 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,320 | 16% below national |
| 222 | Boise City, ID | $38,280 | 16% below national |
| 223 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $38,240 | 16% below national |
| 224 | Peoria, IL | $38,130 | 16% below national |
| 225 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $38,090 | 16% below national |
| 226 | Midland, TX | $38,070 | 16% below national |
| 227 | East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $38,060 | 16% below national |
| 228 | Jonesboro, AR | $38,010 | 17% below national |
| 229 | South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $37,870 | 17% below national |
| 230 | Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $37,730 | 17% below national |
| 231 | State College, PA | $37,690 | 17% below national |
| 232 | East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $37,690 | 17% below national |
| 233 | Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $37,660 | 17% below national |
| 234 | Oklahoma City, OK | $37,590 | 18% below national |
| 235 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $37,570 | 18% below national |
| 236 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $37,510 | 18% below national |
| 237 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $37,490 | 18% below national |
| 238 | Lynchburg, VA | $37,460 | 18% below national |
| 239 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $37,430 | 18% below national |
| 240 | Johnson City, TN | $37,420 | 18% below national |
| 241 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $37,400 | 18% below national |
| 242 | Valdosta, GA | $37,360 | 18% below national |
| 243 | Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $37,320 | 18% below national |
| 244 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $37,300 | 18% below national |
| 245 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $37,290 | 18% below national |
| 246 | Vineland, NJ | $37,290 | 18% below national |
| 247 | Birmingham, AL | $37,270 | 18% below national |
| 248 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $37,240 | 18% below national |
| 249 | West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $37,230 | 18% below national |
| 250 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $37,220 | 18% below national |
| 251 | Fayetteville, NC | $37,210 | 18% below national |
| 252 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $37,190 | 18% below national |
| 253 | San Angelo, TX | $37,170 | 18% below national |
| 254 | Bloomington, IL | $37,050 | 19% below national |
| 255 | Huntsville, AL | $37,020 | 19% below national |
| 256 | Mobile, AL | $37,000 | 19% below national |
| 257 | Victoria, TX | $36,980 | 19% below national |
| 258 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $36,980 | 19% below national |
| 259 | Waco, TX | $36,830 | 19% below national |
| 260 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,820 | 19% below national |
| 261 | Amarillo, TX | $36,810 | 19% below national |
| 262 | Abilene, TX | $36,790 | 19% below national |
| 263 | Jacksonville, NC | $36,730 | 19% below national |
| 264 | Joplin, MO-KS | $36,680 | 20% below national |
| 265 | Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $36,670 | 20% below national |
| 266 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $36,640 | 20% below national |
| 267 | Jackson, TN | $36,620 | 20% below national |
| 268 | Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $36,600 | 20% below national |
| 269 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $36,520 | 20% below national |
| 270 | Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $36,520 | 20% below national |
| 271 | Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $36,480 | 20% below national |
| 272 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $36,460 | 20% below national |
| 273 | Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $36,440 | 20% below national |
| 274 | Wichita Falls, TX | $36,330 | 20% below national |
| 275 | Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $36,290 | 20% below national |
| 276 | Longview, TX | $36,280 | 20% below national |
| 277 | Lawton, OK | $36,230 | 20% below national |
| 278 | West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $36,210 | 21% below national |
| 279 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $36,200 | 21% below national |
| 280 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $36,140 | 21% below national |
| 281 | Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $36,140 | 21% below national |
| 282 | Albany, GA | $36,030 | 21% below national |
| 283 | East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $35,980 | 21% below national |
| 284 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $35,900 | 21% below national |
| 285 | Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $35,900 | 21% below national |
| 286 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $35,890 | 21% below national |
| 287 | South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $35,830 | 21% below national |
| 288 | Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $35,780 | 21% below national |
| 289 | West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $35,780 | 21% below national |
| 290 | Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $35,750 | 22% below national |
| 291 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $35,740 | 22% below national |
| 292 | North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $35,710 | 22% below national |
| 293 | Montgomery, AL | $35,690 | 22% below national |
| 294 | Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $35,690 | 22% below national |
| 295 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $35,590 | 22% below national |
| 296 | Dothan, AL | $35,550 | 22% below national |
| 297 | Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $35,470 | 22% below national |
| 298 | El Paso, TX | $35,410 | 22% below national |
| 299 | Bowling Green, KY | $35,380 | 22% below national |
| 300 | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $35,300 | 23% below national |
| 301 | Lubbock, TX | $35,250 | 23% below national |
| 302 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $35,180 | 23% below national |
| 303 | Columbus, GA-AL | $35,140 | 23% below national |
| 304 | North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $34,850 | 24% below national |
| 305 | Logan, UT-ID | $34,710 | 24% below national |
| 306 | West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $34,660 | 24% below national |
| 307 | Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $34,570 | 24% below national |
| 308 | Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $34,520 | 24% below national |
| 309 | Florence, SC | $34,410 | 24% below national |
| 310 | Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $34,370 | 25% below national |
| 311 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $34,350 | 25% below national |
| 312 | High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area | $34,260 | 25% below national |
| 313 | Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $34,250 | 25% below national |
| 314 | Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $34,250 | 25% below national |
| 315 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $32,110 | 30% below national |
| 316 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $31,730 | 30% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 29 (healthcare practitioners) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Ophthalmic Medical Technicians make? ▼
The median annual salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is $45,570 ($21.91/hour). The salary range spans from $35,700 at the 10th percentile to $61,940 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Ophthalmic Medical Technicians the most? ▼
Minnesota pays the highest median salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians at $63,080/year, which is +38% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Ophthalmic Medical Technicians? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How dangerous is being a Ophthalmic Medical Technicians? ▼
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.7 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 1.5 per 100 workers.
Is Ophthalmic Medical Technicians a good career? ▼
Employment for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is projected to grow 19.8% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average. About 12,500 openings are projected each year.
How does Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay vary by state? ▼
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $63,080/year, while Alabama pays the least at $36,680/year. BLS data covers 52 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA at $102,540/year. BLS reports wage data for 316 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.
What to do with this data
How to use Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $51,390/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Minnesota leads at $63,080/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.