Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in North Carolina
Considering working as an Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in North Carolina? Here’s what you need to know. 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 North Carolina?
For a ophthalmic medical technicians working in North Carolina, the median annual wage is $40,990 per year (or roughly $19.71/hour).Earnings range from $34,970 at the 10th percentile to $60,800 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| 25th percentile | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Median (50th) | $40,990 | $19.71 |
| 75th percentile | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| 90th percentile | $60,800 | $29.23 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in North Carolina compared to the national average — is 0.82, indicating 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 North Carolina median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 634,631 ophthalmic medical technicians nationwide. In North Carolina alone, approximately 2,000 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 990 ophthalmic medical technicians.
Top North Carolina Metros for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians
The metro areas below employ the most ophthalmic medical technicians in North Carolina.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 700 | $46,590 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 370 | $39,800 |
| Wilmington, NC | 220 | $39,360 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 100 | $44,450 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 50 | $35,940 |
| Burlington, NC | 40 | $40,680 |
Top States for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians Employment
These states have the highest employment of 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
These states pay the most for 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:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for ophthalmic medical technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 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
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Optometric Support Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like ophthalmic medical technicians include:
- Optometrists
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Radiation Therapists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Anesthesiologists
- Cardiologists
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
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2057.00
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