Start your career as an Ophthalmic Medical Technician, and as you gain experience, you can further increase your earning potential by achieving certification through the International Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (IJCAHPO).
IJCAHPO conducted an International Allied Ophthalmic Personnel (AOP) Salary and Benefits Study in 2020. The following hourly and annual wages are an average of the completed data, broken down by certification level:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the following wage estimates in May 2019:
IJCAHPO has created a progressive career development ladder to help you advance in your career as an ophthalmic professional, at your own pace.
You may progress from one level of certification to the next. Each level of certification has prerequisite eligibility requirements and examination processes. Learn more about our pathways to become a COA, COT or COMT.
Salary factors
Salaries for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians vary depending on:
- Level of training
- Experience
- Level of IJCAHPO certification
- Location
- Supervisory responsibilities
Exceptional career opportunities
As one of the fastest growing health care careers, the career outlook for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians has never been better. Find a local employer who will provide supervised entry-level work experience.
> View the available job opportunities
A perfect place to start — or start over
Whether you’ve just finished high school, are returning to the workforce, or simply looking for a career change, becoming an Ophthalmic Medical Technician can offer many rewards.
Superior benefits packages
Certified ophthalmic professionals are in high demand, and many employers offer comprehensive benefits packages that typically include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Paid Vacation/Holidays
- Retirements Plans
- And more!
Flexible work hours
Most ophthalmic practices hire both part-time and full-time employees.
Few (if any) weekend hours
While many other health care professions may require you to be on-call and work long hours (including holidays), most ophthalmic practices’ work schedules are Monday to Friday, with very little weekend work.
Meaningful work
Patients will come in to have their eyes examined, their vision corrected, or a problem diagnosed. Your professionalism and quality of care will make a real difference in patients’ vision and more importantly, their lives.
Ophthalmology is leading the way in fascinating technologies to cure diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and blindness. You will be on the forefront of this new wave of technology.