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Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Washington

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Washington

Thinking about a career as an Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Washington? Here’s what the data says. 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.

What do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Make in Washington?

For a ophthalmic medical technicians working in Washington, wages run about $48,960 per year (or about $23.54/hour).Pay can range from $39,040 at the 10th percentile to $73,950 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $39,040 $18.77
25th percentile $43,240 $20.79
Median (50th) $48,960 $23.54
75th percentile $62,460 $30.03
90th percentile $73,950 $35.56
Salary ranges for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Washington

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington nationwide is 0.82, meaning fewer ophthalmic medical technicians per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, ophthalmic medical technicians earn a median of $51,958 per year ($24.98/hour), lower than the Washington median.

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 634,631 ophthalmic medical technicians in the U.S.. In Washington alone, about 1,430 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 990 ophthalmic medical technicians.

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

Top Washington Metros for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

The largest metro-area employers of ophthalmic medical technicians in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 730 $54,680
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 90 $49,710
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 60 $44,060
Kennewick-Richland, WA 60 $44,900
Bellingham, WA 50 $51,170
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA 40 $47,880

Top States for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Employment

View the states that employ the most ophthalmic medical technicians work.

State Number Employed
Florida 7,160
Texas 6,980
New York 6,260
California 4,090
Massachusetts 3,430
Pennsylvania 3,230
Ohio 3,040
Tennessee 2,300
Virginia 2,250
Illinois 2,210
Michigan 2,180
Arizona 2,080
North Carolina 2,000
Kentucky 1,830
New Jersey 1,760
Georgia 1,690
Indiana 1,660
South Carolina 1,650
Colorado 1,580
Maryland 1,550

Highest-Paying States for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

Where ophthalmic medical technicians earn the most: ophthalmic medical technicians.

State Annual Median Salary
Minnesota $60,810
Wisconsin $50,660
Vermont $49,080
Washington $48,960
Oregon $48,730
Connecticut $48,520
California $47,940
Maryland $47,490
New Jersey $47,460
Massachusetts $47,450

Skills

Top ophthalmic medical technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Active Listening  3.6 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.2 / 5
0
5
Writing  3.1 / 5
0
5
Social Perceptiveness  3.1 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  3.1 / 5
0
5
Service Orientation  3.1 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Customer and Personal Service  4.3 / 5
0
5
Medicine and Dentistry  4.2 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.0 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  3.3 / 5
0
5
Administrative  2.9 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  2.8 / 5
0
5

Abilities

Top abilities for ophthalmic medical technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Near Vision  3.9 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  3.9 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Speech Clarity  3.6 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.4 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  3.4 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • Take and document patients' medical histories.
  • Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
  • Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
  • Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
  • Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
  • Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
  • Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
  • Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
  • Assist physicians in performing ophthalmic procedures, including surgery.
  • Measure corneal curvature with keratometers or ophthalmometers to aid in the diagnosis of conditions, such as astigmatism.
  • Conduct ocular motility tests to measure function of eye muscles.
  • Clean or sterilize ophthalmic or surgical instruments.

Work Activities

  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  • Getting Information
  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Working with Computers
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Training and Teaching Others
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Processing Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

  • Optometric Support Services

Other careers like ophthalmic medical technicians include:

Also Known As

Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician (Certified Ophthalmic Medical Tech), Certified Ophthalmic Surgical Assistant, Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT), Certified Ophthalmic Technician-Surgical Assistant (COT-SA), Certified Retinal Angiographer, Eyecare Advisor, Health Technician (Health Tech), Medical Technician (Medical Tech), Ocular Care Technician (Ocular Care Tech), Ocular Care Technologist, Ophthalmic Aide, Ophthalmic Assistant, Ophthalmic Diagnostic Sonographer, Ophthalmic Medical Assistant, Ophthalmic Medical Technician (Ophthalmic Medical Tech).

References

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