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), Certified Retinal Angiographer, Eyecare Advisor
Median pay
$45,570
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,700 – $61,940
People employed
71,010
Holland code
RIS
Realistic · Investigative · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
The hard parts
- Exposure to disease or infection
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What ophthalmic medical technicians do
- 01Take and document patients' medical histories.
- 02Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- 03Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
- 04Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
- 05Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
- 06Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 3 months, up to and including 6 months.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from ophthalmic medical technicians
- Medical Assistants86% · 0%
- Respiratory Therapists84% · +81%
- Dental Assistants82% · +5%
- Radiation Therapists80% · +131%
- Phlebotomists80% · −1%
Change into ophthalmic medical technicians
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Dental Assistants88% · $48,070
- Medical Assistants86% · $45,690
- Phlebotomists80% · $45,230
- Endoscopy Technicians76% · $48,430
- Nursing Assistants72% · $42,260
Majors that lead here
- Optometric Technician/Assistant
- Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist
- Orthoptics/Orthoptist
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.