by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 3 U.S. colleges awarded 72 degrees and certificates in Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 90% of graduates. College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,086 one year after completing, rising to $50,767 after four years.
A major in Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician explores Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Ophthalmologists And Optometrists, To Cut, Grind, Edge, And Finish Corrective Lenses And To Fabricate Eyewear. Includes Instruction In Optical Theory, Applied Mathematics, Lens Surfacing And Finishing, Tinting And Coating, Impact Resistance Treatment And Testing, Frame Construction And Repair, Prescription Interpretation, Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Follow-Up Adjustment, Record-Keeping, And Laboratory Safety Procedures.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 72 degrees awarded annually. 3 colleges award ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician degrees, an average of 24 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 52.
By level, the 72 awards include 7 associate degrees and 65 master’s degrees.
Women earned 68% of ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician degrees and certificates in the latest year (49 of 72). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (36) and White (20).
College Factual ranks 2 schools in its 2027 Best Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking. In all, 3 colleges offer ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician credential is the master’s degree: 65 of the 72 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Critical Thinking, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Medicine and Dentistry, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Deductive Reasoning and Written Comprehension.
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How long an ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 7 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 65 |
Master’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician, at 23.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 23.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 21.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 5.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician, with an average median salary of $42,234; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Surgery Teacher, Occupational Therapy Aides Teacher, Lecturer and Clinical Instructor.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician, at 1,335,407.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 735,729 | -3.7% |
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates earn a median $43,086 one year after completing their program, $50,767 after four years and $45,731 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,086 |
| 4 years | $50,767 |
| 5 years | $45,731 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician, with a median salary of $46,663.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | $37,805 |
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician has 12 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 22,390 degrees a year; the largest are Phlebotomy Technician/Phlebotomist (10,645), Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist (4,179) and Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician (3,375). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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