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Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Idaho

Considering working as an Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in Idaho? 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 Idaho?

For ophthalmic medical technicians working in Idaho, wages run about $38,830 per year (or about $18.67/hour).Pay can range from $28,590 at the 10th percentile to $52,700 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$28,590	$13.74
25th percentile	$35,220	$16.93
Median (50th)	$38,830	$18.67
75th percentile	$43,310	$20.82
90th percentile	$52,700	$25.34

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Idaho nationwide is 0.56, 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), below the Idaho median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 634,631 ophthalmic medical technicians nationwide. In Idaho alone, about 240 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 990 ophthalmic medical technicians.

Top Idaho Metros for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians

The metro areas below employ the most ophthalmic medical technicians in Idaho.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Boise City, ID	100	$41,030

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

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

Knowledge Areas

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

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for ophthalmic medical technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians typically:

• 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

• Getting Information
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• 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?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Optometric Support Services

Related Careers

Careers similar to 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