Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Postsecondary nondegree award
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Ophthalmic medical technicians support eye care services and work within the broader healthcare field. This occupation offers a defined pathway with a national median annual salary of $44,080 and national employment of about 79,000 people. The role combines hands-on work with patients and the use of technical and scientific skills. Strong demand is reflected in a projected employment growth rate of 19.8% and about 12,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing hiring needs across the country. People who are detail oriented, comfortable working with others, and interested in science and healthcare may find this career especially appealing. The field values interpersonal and customer service skills, along with fine motor abilities and comfort with technology. With a typical education level of a postsecondary nondegree award, this path can be accessible to those who want to enter healthcare without completing a full college degree, while still building a specialized technical career.
Earnings for ophthalmic medical technicians are anchored by a national median annual salary of $44,080. Pay varies by location, with some states and metro areas offering higher median salaries. Among the top states by opportunity score, California stands out with a median salary of $54,490, followed by Massachusetts at $49,750 and Washington at $48,840. At the metro level, several areas offer even higher pay: San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports a median salary of $63,300, New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ reports $55,100, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH reports $52,670. These differences show that location can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation. Considering both national and local figures can help job seekers and career changers balance salary expectations with other priorities such as geography and job market conditions.
Ophthalmic medical technicians have a solid employment outlook supported by multiple indicators. National employment stands at about 79,000 workers, showing that this is a well-established occupation within healthcare. Projected employment growth of 19.8% suggests that the field is expected to expand over time. In addition, there are about 12,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing opportunities that may come from new positions as well as turnover and other workforce changes. The same 19.8% growth rate appears in top states and metro areas listed with strong opportunity scores, highlighting consistent projected expansion across many regions. For students and career changers, these numbers point to a field where new entrants can reasonably expect continuing demand. For experienced professionals, the combination of growth and annual openings suggests opportunities to move between employers or regions while staying in the same occupation.
Location can make a clear difference for ophthalmic medical technicians in terms of both salary and concentration of jobs. Among states with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores, California, Massachusetts, and New York all combine relatively high median salaries with sizable employment. California offers a median salary of $54,490 with 2,500 employed, while New York shows 4,250 employed at a median of $48,440, making it the largest employer among the listed states. Massachusetts balances a median salary of $49,750 with employment of 2,330. Colorado and Washington also appear as strong options, though with smaller employment levels of 1,470 and 1,250 respectively. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ stands out with 5,670 employed and a median salary of $55,100. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA has the highest listed metro salary at $63,300, while San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA posts a high opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $51,300, offering another attractive regional option.
The typical education level for ophthalmic medical technicians is a postsecondary nondegree award. This means most workers enter the field with training beyond high school that does not lead to a full college degree. This education pathway can appeal to individuals seeking quicker entry into healthcare while still gaining specialized knowledge. Success in this occupation also reflects a distinctive skill profile. Being detail oriented and having strong fine motor skills are important for the technical aspects of the work. Interpersonal and customer service skills support direct interaction with patients and colleagues. Science and mathematics abilities contribute to understanding the clinical and technical environment, while comfort with computers and information technology helps with modern healthcare tools and systems. Mechanical skills and leadership capability can further support advancement or added responsibility. Together, the education requirement and listed skills outline an accessible but skilled technical role in the healthcare sector.
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