Salary distribution
Where California ophthalmic medical technicians fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $41,110 and $57,780, with a median of $47,940.
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Postsecondary nondegree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.3 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.6 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.6 / 5
Speech Clarity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Take and document patients' medical histories.
- 02
Conduct tonometry or tonography tests to measure intraocular pressure.
- 03
Operate ophthalmic equipment, such as autorefractors, phoropters, tomographs, or retinoscopes.
- 04
Take anatomical or functional ocular measurements of the eye or surrounding tissue, such as axial length measurements.
- 05
Measure visual acuity, including near, distance, pinhole, or dynamic visual acuity, using appropriate tests.
- 06
Measure and record lens power, using lensometers.
- 07
Administer topical ophthalmic or oral medications.
- 08
Conduct visual field tests to measure field of vision.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+19.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for ophthalmic medical technicians in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$55,220
- Los Angeles$52,620
- San Jose$49,350
- Riverside$48,400
- Sacramento$45,840
- San Diego$42,350
Compare Ophthalmic Medical Technicians pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in California is $47,940.
- How does California compare to the national median for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
- The California median is +10.3% versus the BLS national figure of $43,467.
- What is the salary range for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $36,430 and the 90th-percentile at $82,710, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Ophthalmic Medical Technicians a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 19.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Postsecondary nondegree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.