🏥 Healthcare ↑ 6% growth · Average

Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OMT)

Ophthalmic techs work in ophthalmology offices performing pre-exam testing — visual acuity, tonometry, visual fields, and fundus photography. It's a specialized, growing field with minimal competition for program slots.

$40,830 Median Salary
81K US Jobs
12–18 months Training
$4,000–$12,000 Typical Cost
Get Free Program Info → Find Schools

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$31,000
Median
$40,830
Experienced
$57,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

6%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Average
81K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
COT or COA
Required Credential
COT or COA (JCAHPO)

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
Ophthalmic Technician Certificate
Program Length
12–18 months
Typical Tuition
$4,000–$12,000
Work Setting
Ophthalmology practices, eye surgery centers, VA hospitals
🏆 Credential Required: COT or COA (JCAHPO)

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OMT) involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Ophthalmology practices environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Ophthalmic Medical Technician (OMT) by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC