Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
SOC 29-2057 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is $41,780, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $44,290, and an estimated 73,390 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +10.1% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -6.5% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 19.8% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $41,780 | $41,780 | 73,390 |
| 2022 | $38,860 | $40,460 | 66,060 |
| 2021 | $37,180 | $41,808 | 65,700 |
| 2020 | $37,940 | $44,667 | 59,960 |
Nominal change
+10.1%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-6.5%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+19.8%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
78,800
Projected 2034
94,400
Annual Openings
12,500
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $41,780. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $60,810 | +45.5% | 60 |
| District of Columbia | $59,410 | +42.2% | — |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $59,110 | +41.5% | 40 |
| Minnesota | $52,740 | +26.2% | 790 |
| New York | $50,810 | +21.6% | 3,840 |
| Massachusetts | $50,220 | +20.2% | 2,070 |
| West Central-Southwest New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $49,920 | +19.5% | 60 |
| Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $49,470 | +18.4% | 60 |
| California | $49,260 | +17.9% | 4,880 |
| New Jersey | $49,050 | +17.4% | 1,860 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$31,200
25th Pct
$36,330
Median
$41,780
75th Pct
$49,740
90th Pct
$59,930
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
All Healthcare Practitioners & Technical occupations →