by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 14 U.S. colleges awarded 196 degrees and certificates in Optometric Technician/Assistant. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 56% of graduates. College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Optometric Technician/Assistant 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.
A degree in Optometric Technician/Assistant explores Optometric Technician/assistant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Assist Optometrists In Providing Patient Care, Administering Examinations And Treatments, And Performing Office Administrative Functions. Includes Instruction In Applied Anatomy And Physiology Of The Eye, Visual Testing, Patient Communication, Patient Preparation, Medications And Administration, Dispensing And Fitting Of Eyeglasses And Contact Lenses, Record-Keeping, And Office Management Skills.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., optometric technician/assistant is a popular field of study, with 196 degrees awarded annually. 14 colleges award optometric technician/assistant degrees, an average of 14 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 47.
By level, the 196 awards include 59 certificates, 109 associate degrees and 28 master’s degrees.
Women earned 79% of optometric technician/assistant degrees and certificates in the latest year (154 of 196). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (144) and White (30), and international students earned 2.
College Factual ranks 8 schools in its 2027 Best Optometric Technician/Assistant Schools ranking, including 6 for associate degrees. It also ranks optometric technician/assistant schools within 2 states. In all, 14 colleges offer optometric technician/assistant programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Optometric Technician/Assistant Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common optometric technician/assistant credential is the associate degree: 109 of the 196 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to optometric technician/assistant call most for Active Listening, Speaking and Reading Comprehension, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Near Vision.
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How long an optometric technician/assistant degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 59 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 109 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 28 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to optometric technician/assistant, 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 Optometric Technician/Assistant, 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 Health Technician (Health Tech), Medical Technician (Medical Tech), Ocular Care Technologist and Certified Ophthalmic Technician-Surgical Assistant (COT-SA).
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to optometric technician/assistant, at 654,936.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 654,936 | 3.2% |
Optometric Technician/Assistant 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 optometric technician/assistant, with a median salary of $51,958.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $51,958 |
Optometric Technician/Assistant has 4 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 615 degrees a year; the largest are Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician (407), Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist (172) 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 |
| Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist | 172 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other | 34 |
| Orthoptics/Orthoptist | 2 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
