by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 19 U.S. colleges awarded 172 degrees and certificates in Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist. Certificates are the most popular award, at 38% of graduates. College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,222 one year after completing, rising to $46,342 after four years.
Studying Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist involves the study of Ophthalmic Technician/technologist. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Assist Ophthalmologists And Optometrists In Examining And Treating Patients With Vision Problems, Vision Disorders, And Eye Diseases. Includes Instruction In Taking Patient Histories, Administering Directed Treatments And Topical Medications, Diagnostic Test Procedures And Equipment Operation, Anatomical And Functional Ocular Measurements, Patient Care And Instruction, Ophthalmic And Surgical Equipment Maintenance, Safety And Sterilization Procedures, And Office Administrative Procedures.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, ophthalmic technician/technologist is a popular field of study, with 172 degrees awarded annually. 19 colleges award ophthalmic technician/technologist degrees, an average of 9 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 27.
By level, the 172 awards include 66 certificates, 59 associate degrees and 47 master’s degrees.
Women earned 89% of ophthalmic technician/technologist degrees and certificates in the latest year (153 of 172). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (84) and White (46), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 9 schools in its 2027 Best Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Schools ranking, including 4 for associate degrees. It also ranks ophthalmic technician/technologist schools within 3 states. In all, 19 colleges offer ophthalmic technician/technologist programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common ophthalmic technician/technologist credential is the certificate: 66 of the 172 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to ophthalmic technician/technologist call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Service Orientation, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Oral Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an ophthalmic technician/technologist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 66 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 59 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 47 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to ophthalmic technician/technologist, at 59.1%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 59.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 27.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 4.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist, with an average median salary of $51,958; the strongest outlook belongs to Ophthalmic Medical Technicians, at 3.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Ophthalmic Aide, Optometric Assistant, Ocular Care Technician (Ocular Care Tech) and Certified Retinal Angiographer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to ophthalmic technician/technologist, at 654,936.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 654,936 | 3.2% |
Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist graduates earn a median $35,222 one year after completing their program, $46,342 after four years and $39,453 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,222 |
| 4 years | $46,342 |
| 5 years | $39,453 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to ophthalmic technician/technologist, with a median salary of $51,958.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $51,958 |
Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist has 4 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 639 degrees a year; the largest are Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician (407), Optometric Technician/Assistant (196) and Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other (34). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician | 407 |
| Optometric Technician/Assistant | 196 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other | 34 |
| Orthoptics/Orthoptist | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
