# Ophthalmic Medical Technologists

> Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions and ophthalmic photography. Provide instruction and supervision to other ophthalmic personnel. Assist with minor surgical procedures, applying aseptic techniques and preparing instruments. May perform eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct patients in care and use of corrective lenses.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/ophthalmic-medical-technologists
- SOC code: 29-2099.05
- Career family: Healthcare practitioners
- Median annual pay: $50,290 (10th percentile $38,180, 90th percentile $85,270)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +5.9%
- Openings a year: 12,400
- Typical entry education: Postsecondary certificate
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections
- Pay and outlook are for the broader BLS group "Health technologists and technicians, all other".

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 62 |
| Artistic (A) | 2 |
| Social (S) | 55 |
| Enterprising (E) | 17 |
| Conventional (C) | 62 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 90/100)
- Getting Information (importance 89/100)
- Assisting and Caring for Others (importance 86/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 78/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 78/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 76/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 75/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 66/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Instructing, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, English Language, Education and Training, Mathematics, Administrative, Administration and Management, Biology, Computers and Electronics, Public Safety and Security

## Also called

Angiographer, Angiography Technologist, Certified Diagnostic Ophthalmic Sonographer (CDOS), Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT), Certified Ophthalmic Technologist, Certified Retinal Angiographer, Medical Technologist, Ocular Care Technologist, Ophthalmic Diagnostic Imager, Ophthalmic Echographer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5109) (CIP 5109, 1,504 colleges)
- [Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5108) (CIP 5108, 1,063 colleges)
- [Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5110) (CIP 5110, 824 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Wagner College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/wagner-college-3148) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | not reported | $156,982 | $27,000 |
| [St. John's University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/st-john-s-university-new-york-2579) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $102,500 | $142,774 | $23,325 |
| [Loma Linda University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loma-linda-university-1516) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $112,525 | $125,835 | $20,000 |
| [CUNY York College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-york-college-749) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $118,710 | $122,313 | not reported |
| [John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences](https://www.collegesref.com/college/john-patrick-university-of-health-and-applied-sciences-1341) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $112,673 | $122,061 | $23,437 |
| [Saint Francis University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/saint-francis-university-2301) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | not reported | $115,813 | $28,000 |
| [D'Youville University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/d-youville-university-755) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $113,290 | $114,737 | $30,703 |
| [Molloy College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/molloy-college-1749) | Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $90,567 | $111,267 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Ophthalmic Medical Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/ophthalmic-medical-technicians): $45,570 median pay
- [Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians): $74,310 median pay
- [Radiologic Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/radiologic-technologists-and-technicians): $80,110 median pay
- [Neurodiagnostic Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/neurodiagnostic-technologists): $50,290 median pay
- [Diagnostic Medical Sonographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/diagnostic-medical-sonographers): $96,590 median pay
- [Surgical Assistants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surgical-assistants): $66,800 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.