Ophthalmic technician vs certified ophthalmic technician

The differences between ophthalmic technicians and certified ophthalmic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an ophthalmic technician and a certified ophthalmic technician. Additionally, an ophthalmic technician has an average salary of $44,042, which is higher than the $43,658 average annual salary of a certified ophthalmic technician.

The top three skills for an ophthalmic technician include patients, patient care and ophthalmology. The most important skills for a certified ophthalmic technician are patients, ophthalmology, and color vision.

Ophthalmic technician vs certified ophthalmic technician overview

	Ophthalmic Technician	Certified Ophthalmic Technician
Yearly salary	$44,042	$43,658
Hourly rate	$21.17	$20.99
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	19,063	49,836
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	2	2

Ophthalmic technician vs certified ophthalmic technician salary

Ophthalmic technicians and certified ophthalmic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Ophthalmic Technician	Certified Ophthalmic Technician
Average salary	$44,042	$43,658
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $62,000	Between $30,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Portland, OR	-
Highest paying state	Oregon	-
Best paying company	Eye Consultants of Atlanta	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between ophthalmic technician and certified ophthalmic technician education

There are a few differences between an ophthalmic technician and a certified ophthalmic technician in terms of educational background:

	Ophthalmic Technician	Certified Ophthalmic Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common major	Biology	Biology
Most common college	-	-

Ophthalmic technician vs certified ophthalmic technician demographics

Here are the differences between ophthalmic technicians' and certified ophthalmic technicians' demographics:

	Ophthalmic Technician	Certified Ophthalmic Technician
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 16.8% Female, 83.2%	Male, 15.9% Female, 84.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between ophthalmic technician and certified ophthalmic technician duties and responsibilities

Ophthalmic technician example responsibilities.

Conduct computerized pre-test on patients including auto-refraction, automate visual field screenings and visual acuity.
Sterilize and set-up instruments for ophthalmic surgical procedures, assist with minor office surgery and laser treatments.
Perform vision examination; administer eye drops; obtain eye pressure using tonopen applanation.
Assist ophthalmologists in scribing during patient exams, retinoscopy, lensometry, laser therapy, and fluorescein angiograms.
Conduct several tests on patients including visual field tests, OCT, HRT, corneal pachymetry, dilation, etc.
Test patients for glaucoma using the necessary equipment and procedures

Certified ophthalmic technician example responsibilities.

Assess patients and document medical history.
Have used the goldmann, tonopen and the Perkins hand hold tonometer.
Perform examinations and interviews with patients.
Obtain intraocular pressure by applanation tonomentry or tonopen.
Perform clinic work-ups/manifest refraction utilizing EMR, program and maintain laser equipment, clinical photography, and assist physicians during surgeries.
Comply with all HIPAA regulations regarding patient information.

Ophthalmic technician vs certified ophthalmic technician skills

Common ophthalmic technician skills

Patients, 18%
Patient Care, 6%
Ophthalmology, 5%
Visual Acuity, 5%
Visual Fields, 4%
Surgery, 4%

Common certified ophthalmic technician skills

Patients, 18%
Ophthalmology, 7%
Color Vision, 6%
Visual Acuity, 5%
Visual Fields, 5%
Allergies, 5%

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Ophthalmic Technician
Ophthalmic Technician vs Certified Ophthalmic Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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