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How much does an optometric tech make? It depends on a number of factors, including experience, location, and employer. However, the average salary for an optometric tech in the united states is $33,610 per year.
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Introduction
The median annual wage for ophthalmic and optometric technicians was $34,780 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,870, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52,880.
What is an Optometric Technician?
An optometric technician is a person who works under the supervision of an optometrist to provide basic eye care. They are usually responsible for tasks such as measuring a patient’s vision, testing for color blindness, and fitting contact lenses.
In some states, optometric technicians may also be allowed to administer certain types of eye exams and write prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses. However, they are not allowed to diagnose or treat eye diseases.
The median annual salary for optometric technicians was $31,376 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS also reported that the top 10% of earners in this field made more than $46,180 per year, while the bottom 10% earned less than $21,390 per year.
The Duties of an Optometric Technician
An optometric technician is an important member of the team that provides vision care to patients. The technician’s duties vary depending on the state in which he or she works, but generally include helping the optometrist with patient examinations and screenings, maintaining equipment, and ordering and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
In some states, optometric technicians are allowed to perform certain tasks without the direct supervision of an optometrist. These tasks may include administering basic vision tests, measuring visual acuity, helping patients choose frames for their glasses, and taking eye impressions for contact lenses.
Mostoptometric technicians work in private practices, but some also work in hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare facilities. Some technicians travel to schools to provide vision screenings for children.
The Training and Educational Requirements of an Optometric Technician
An optometric technician is a health care professional who works with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to provide eye care services. These technicians often work in private practices, but they may also find employment in hospitals or other medical facilities. The duties of these professionals may vary, but they typically include performing vision tests, assisting with eye examinations, and helping patients select and adjust eyeglasses and contact lenses.
To become an optometric technician, one must usually earn a high school diploma or equivalent. Some states also require that technicians complete an accredited training program and pass a state-administered examination. Although not required, some optometric technicians may choose to earn a postsecondary certificate or degree in ophthalmic technology. These programs typically last one year and cover topics such as anatomy and physiology of the eye, disease of the eye, and the fitting of eyeglasses.
The Certification of an Optometric Technician
An optometric technician is an ophthalmic health care worker who assists an optometrist in the provision of eye care. In the United States, the title of ophthalmic medical technician (OMT) is also used. They are trained to measure vision and collect health history, as well as perform minor office procedures and assist with testing.
The certification of an optometric technician is not mandatory in all states, but most employers prefer to hire technicians who have completed a certified training program. There are two nationally recognized credentialing organizations for optometric technicians: the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) and the American Optometric Association (AOA).
In order to be certified by JCAHPO, technicians must complete an accredited training program and pass a written examination. The AOA offers a similar program called the National Optometric Technician Certification (NOTC). Both JCAHPO and NOTC certify technicians at three different levels: Level I, II, and III. The level of certification achieved depends on the level of training completed and the type of examination taken.
Optometric technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $33,280. Those who are certified at the highest level (Level III) may earn slightly more than those who are not certified. In addition, technicians who have completed a formal training program may have better job prospects than those who have not.
The Salary of an Optometric Technician
The median annual salary of an optometric technician was $32,610 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,410. Median earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of optometric technicians were as follows:
Offices of other health practitioners: $33,180
General merchandise stores: $32,950
Offices of optometrists: $31,950
Department stores: $30,660
Elementary and secondary schools: $29,560
The job outlook of an Optometric Technician
An optometric technician is a professional who assists an optometrist in providing eye care to patients. Optometric technicians typically work in optometry offices, and their duties can include everything from scheduling appointments to conducting vision tests to helping patients select eyeglasses.
The job outlook for optometric technicians is positive, as the demand for this profession is expected to grow in the coming years. The average salary for an optometric technician is $32,500 per year
