Ophthalmic Medical Technician Salary
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earn a median $45,570 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$45,570
$21.91 per hour
Range
$35,700 – $61,940
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
71,010
across the U.S.
▲3.4%
Pay trend: The median for ophthalmic medical technicians in the U.S. rose from $44,080 (May 2024) to $45,570 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.0%.
What ophthalmic medical technicians do
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.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +21.4% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 11,800
Employment of ophthalmic medical technicians is projected to grow 21.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 11,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Ophthalmic Medical Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$38,795
per year · effective tax rate 14.9%
$3,233Monthly
$1,616Twice a month
$1,492Every 2 weeks
$18.65Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,288
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,825
- Medicare (1.45%)$661
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$38,795
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,700 | $17.16 | $30,865 |
| 25th percentile | $38,170 | $18.35 | $32,850 |
| Median (50th) | $45,570 | $21.91 | $38,795 |
| 75th percentile | $51,390 | $24.71 | $43,472 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,940 | $29.78 | $51,949 |
Best cities for ophthalmic medical technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $55,100 | $44,074 | $39,155 | 5,670 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $50,010 | $40,032 | $38,643 | 2,390 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $55,100
- Chicago, IL — $50,010
Ophthalmic Medical Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,080 | +3.7% | $50,099 | $46,080 – $83,330 | 720 |
| Hawaii | $58,240 | +24.3% | $46,080 | $40,370 – $64,850 | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $56,420 | +11.4% | $45,812 | $40,910 – $66,560 | 1,260 |
| California | $54,490 | +13.7% | $43,935 | $38,780 – $101,700 | 2,500 |
| District of Columbia | $50,790 | +10.8% | $41,108 | $37,760 – $64,400 | — |
| Vermont | $50,090 | +2.1% | $41,183 | $40,890 – $67,210 | 150 |
| Maryland | $50,070 | +5.4% | $40,397 | $39,460 – $66,820 | 1,300 |
| Oregon | $50,020 | +2.6% | $38,824 | $40,670 – $67,210 | 1,060 |
| Alaska | $49,970 | +6.8% | $42,331 | $44,480 – $69,680 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $49,750 | +4.8% | $39,887 | $38,480 – $80,220 | 2,330 |
| New Hampshire | $49,110 | +4.0% | $41,640 | $39,380 – $63,930 | 300 |
| New Jersey | $49,050 | +3.4% | $40,429 | $39,970 – $58,250 | 4,150 |
| Washington | $48,840 | −0.2% | $41,423 | $39,840 – $79,300 | 1,250 |
| New York | $48,440 | +3.3% | $39,083 | $39,100 – $68,510 | 4,250 |
| Connecticut | $48,270 | −0.5% | $39,718 | $40,200 – $65,820 | 780 |
| Maine | $48,120 | +5.4% | $38,778 | $39,370 – $61,230 | 320 |
| Montana | $47,290 | +0.4% | $38,712 | $35,420 – $64,370 | 380 |
| Illinois | $47,100 | +5.2% | $37,838 | $36,190 – $60,490 | 3,250 |
| Arizona | $47,040 | +12.6% | $39,009 | $38,370 – $55,300 | 1,630 |
| Florida | $46,830 | +3.4% | $39,808 | $36,330 – $59,100 | 7,020 |
| Michigan | $46,750 | +3.7% | $38,008 | $37,270 – $59,170 | 1,800 |
| Rhode Island | $46,500 | +0.9% | $38,416 | $39,380 – $60,280 | 410 |
| Colorado | $46,260 | +3.2% | $38,023 | $37,150 – $65,790 | 1,470 |
| North Dakota | $46,190 | +2.7% | $39,294 | $39,110 – $59,920 | 220 |
| Nebraska | $45,210 | +1.4% | $37,329 | $37,330 – $53,350 | 530 |
| North Carolina | $45,150 | +10.1% | $37,165 | $36,260 – $61,970 | 1,630 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,050 | +1.0% | $36,995 | $36,300 – $55,900 | 2,890 |
| Delaware | $44,540 | +6.7% | $36,173 | $33,610 – $63,250 | — |
| Iowa | $44,030 | −0.3% | $36,537 | $36,860 – $58,610 | 500 |
| Kansas | $43,700 | +12.8% | $35,654 | $32,710 – $58,760 | 630 |
| Texas | $43,640 | +12.6% | $37,245 | $31,930 – $58,130 | 6,540 |
| Indiana | $43,490 | +0.7% | $35,871 | $34,990 – $57,130 | 1,610 |
| South Dakota | $42,430 | +9.5% | $36,273 | $36,450 – $56,730 | 300 |
| Virginia | $40,920 | −1.6% | $33,520 | $36,170 – $52,280 | 1,540 |
| South Carolina | $40,400 | +4.0% | $33,375 | $33,000 – $51,360 | 1,470 |
| Ohio | $40,350 | +0.9% | $34,274 | $34,570 – $53,420 | 2,510 |
| Missouri | $40,290 | +10.1% | $33,597 | $31,470 – $50,530 | 960 |
| Georgia | $39,150 | +3.3% | $32,228 | $34,180 – $60,010 | 2,570 |
| Kentucky | $38,990 | +0.6% | $32,261 | $30,320 – $51,840 | 1,570 |
| Tennessee | $38,890 | +0.4% | $33,428 | $32,870 – $60,170 | 1,760 |
| Louisiana | $38,750 | −0.9% | $32,539 | $31,130 – $51,630 | 890 |
| New Mexico | $38,610 | +2.9% | $32,510 | $35,250 – $58,630 | 400 |
| Idaho | $38,280 | −1.4% | $32,017 | $34,760 – $49,440 | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $37,920 | +5.9% | $31,488 | $29,330 – $48,260 | 980 |
| Nevada | $37,660 | +0.1% | $32,440 | $35,530 – $49,360 | 960 |
| Arkansas | $37,340 | +3.3% | $30,939 | $30,210 – $47,160 | 540 |
| West Virginia | $36,730 | −11.7% | $30,703 | $26,470 – $46,180 | 260 |
| Alabama | $36,680 | +1.2% | $30,083 | $29,120 – $47,690 | 1,260 |
| Mississippi | $36,220 | +0.7% | $30,566 | $29,480 – $45,140 | 690 |
| Utah | $35,950 | −0.1% | $30,414 | $30,440 – $49,460 | 680 |
| Wyoming | $35,740 | +12.7% | $30,897 | $34,870 – $46,280 | 110 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +22.3% |
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,640 | Associate's degree | +2.7% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $47,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.2% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ophthalmic medical technician make?
The national median salary for ophthalmic medical technicians is $45,570 a year ($21.91 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,700 and the top 10% earn over $61,940. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays ophthalmic medical technicians the most?
Minnesota has the highest median pay at $63,080. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many ophthalmic medical technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 71,010 people work as ophthalmic medical technicians nationwide.