Ophthalmic Medical Technician Salary in 2026

    SOC: 29-2057.00 · BLS OEWS 2026 · Updated March 2026
    Median Annual
    $44,080
    per year
    Salary Range
    $34K – $61K
    P10–P90
    Total Jobs
    76,520
    employed
    Job Growth
    +19.8%
    2024–2034
    Section 01

    How Much Do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Make?

    Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earn a median annual salary of $44,080 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,210 at the 10th percentile to $60,810 at the 90th percentile — a range of $26,600. The highest-paying state is Minnesota at $60,810.

    PercentileAnnual salary
    10th percentile$34,210
    25th percentile$37,100
    Median (50th)$44,080
    75th percentile$49,730
    90th percentile$60,810
    10th: $34,210Median: $44,08090th: $60,810
    Section 02

    Ophthalmic Medical Technician Salary by State

    Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.

    StateMedian salary
    Minnesotatop$60,810
    Wisconsin$50,660
    Vermont$49,080
    Washington$48,960
    Oregon$48,730
    Connecticut$48,520
    California$47,940
    Maryland$47,490
    New Jersey$47,460
    Massachusetts$47,450
    New Hampshire$47,240
    Montana$47,110
    New York$46,910
    Hawaii$46,850
    Alaska$46,780
    Rhode Island$46,090
    District of Columbia$45,860
    Maine$45,640
    Florida$45,300
    Michigan$45,070
    North Dakota$44,970
    Colorado$44,820
    Illinois$44,790
    Pennsylvania$44,620
    Nebraska$44,600
    Iowa$44,160
    Indiana$43,200
    Arizona$41,790
    Delaware$41,730
    Virginia$41,600
    West Virginia$41,600
    North Carolina$40,990
    Ohio$40,000
    Louisiana$39,100
    South Carolina$38,840
    Idaho$38,830
    Texas$38,770
    South Dakota$38,760
    Kansas$38,750
    Kentucky$38,740
    Tennessee$38,720
    Georgia$37,900
    Nevada$37,630
    New Mexico$37,510
    Missouri$36,600
    Alabama$36,260
    Arkansas$36,160
    Utah$36,000
    Mississippi$35,960
    Oklahoma$35,800
    Wyoming$31,720
    Section 03

    Highest-Paying Metros for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

    Minnesota
    Highest paying
    $60,810
    top metro salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
    $60,810
    $0 vs highest
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
    $58,790
    $-2,020 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $55,220
    $-5,590 vs highest
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $54,680
    $-6,130 vs highest
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
    $52,620
    $-8,190 vs highest
    Boulder, CO
    $52,180
    $-8,630 vs highest
    Madison, WI
    $52,140
    $-8,670 vs highest
    Section 04

    Ophthalmic Medical Technician Salary by Experience

    Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.

    Experience levelEstimated salary
    Entry level (0–2 yrs)~$34,210 – $37,100
    Mid career (3–7 yrs)~$44,080
    Experienced (8–15 yrs)~$49,730
    Senior (15+ yrs)$60,810+
    Section 05

    How to Earn More as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician

    Location is the single biggest salary lever: Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Minnesota earn $60,810 — $16,730 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($49,730) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.

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    Section 06

    Ophthalmic Medical Technician Salary vs Similar Careers

    CareerMedian salary
    Ophthalmic Medical Technicianthis career$44,080
    Optometrist$134,830
    Anesthesiologist Assistant$133,260
    Radiation Therapist$101,990
    Respiratory Therapist$80,450

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    PathScorer compares your skills to Ophthalmic Medical Technician requirements and shows you what you already qualify for — plus which similar careers pay more for your background.

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    Section 07

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SOC: 29-2057.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.