by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 2 degrees and certificates in Orthoptics/Orthoptist. Graduates earn a median $35,222 one year after completing, rising to $46,342 after four years.
A degree in Orthoptics/Orthoptist involves the study of Orthoptics/orthoptist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Ophthalmologists, To Analyze, Evaluate, And Treat Specific Disorders Of Vision, Eye Movement, And Eye Alignment In Children And Adults. Includes Instruction In Eye Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Ophthalmic Optics, Diagnostic Testing And Measurement, Orthoptic Treatment Therapy, Systemic Ocular Diseases And Disorders, Principles Of Surgery, Examination Techniques, Patient Education, Child Psychology And Development, Learning Disabilities, Medical Writing, And Record-Keeping.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., orthoptics/orthoptist draws strong interest, with 2 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award orthoptics/orthoptist degrees, an average of 1 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1.
All 2 of the awards are master’s degrees, the only level colleges reported.
Women earned 100% of orthoptics/orthoptist degrees and certificates in the latest year (2 of 2).
O*NET rates Active Listening the most important skill for jobs related to orthoptics/orthoptist, at 3.6 out of 5. The key knowledge areas are Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry and English Language. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Oral Comprehension and Near Vision.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an orthoptics/orthoptist degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to orthoptics/orthoptist, 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 Orthoptics/Orthoptist, 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 Eyecare Advisor, Ophthalmology Technician (Ophthalmology Tech), Health Technician (Health Tech) and Ophthalmic Scribe.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to orthoptics/orthoptist, at 654,936.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 654,936 | 3.2% |
Orthoptics/Orthoptist 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 orthoptics/orthoptist, with a median salary of $51,958.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $51,958 |
Orthoptics/Orthoptist has 4 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 809 degrees a year; the largest are Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician (407), Optometric Technician/Assistant (196) and Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist (172). 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 Technician/Technologist | 172 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other | 34 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.