How much does an eye care technician make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical eye care technician in the United States makes $45,570 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They ask about a patient’s health, use eye charts and machines to check vision, and take eye measurements. They prepare and care for equipment, and may give eye medicine as directed by an ophthalmologist.
Did you know? An eye-care technician may measure pressure inside the eye with tonometry—but that check alone cannot diagnose glaucoma.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,700 and $61,940How do you become one?
In the U.S., finish high school, then complete an ophthalmic-tech program or learn on the job under an eye doctor. To earn an IJCAHPO certification, meet its training or work-experience rules and pass the exam.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like building and doing and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and certifications such as IJCAHPO’s can affect pay. Pay also varies by employer and location; jobs with more complex tests or greater responsibility may pay differently.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Minnesota ($63,080), lowest in Utah ($35,950).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
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Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,700 | $45,570 | $61,940 | about 71,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,080 | about 720 |
| Wisconsin | $56,420 | about 1,000 |
| California | $54,490 | about 3,000 |
| Maryland | $50,070 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $50,020 | about 1,000 |
Official definition: Assist ophthalmologists by performing ophthalmic clinical functions. May administer eye exams, administer eye medications, and instruct the patient in care and use of corrective lenses.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/about/print/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2057.00
- www.jcahpo.org/certification/certifications/certified-ophthalmic-assistant
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.aao.org/eye-health/glasses-contacts/eye-pressure-testing
- www.aao.org/eye-health/treatments/glaucoma-diagnosis
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY