How Much Does an Ophthalmic Assistant Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$45,570
Ophthalmic assistants in the U.S. earn a median of $45,570 a year, or $21.91 an hour. Half of ophthalmic assistants earn more than $45,570 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $61,940.
Pay percentiles for ophthalmic assistants
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.17 | $35,700 |
| 25th | $18.35 | $38,170 |
| 50th (median) | $21.91 | $45,570 |
| 75th | $24.71 | $51,390 |
| 90th | $29.78 | $61,940 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (SOC 29-2057). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for ophthalmic assistants
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | $63,080 | $30.33 | +38% |
| Hawaii | $58,240 | $28.00 | +28% |
| Wisconsin | $56,420 | $27.13 | +24% |
| California | $54,490 | $26.20 | +20% |
| District of Columbia | $50,790 | $24.42 | +11% |
| Vermont | $50,090 | $24.08 | +10% |
| Maryland | $50,070 | $24.07 | +10% |
| Oregon | $50,020 | $24.05 | +10% |
| Alaska | $49,970 | $24.02 | +10% |
| Massachusetts | $49,750 | $23.92 | +9% |
| United States | $45,570 | $21.91 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many ophthalmic assistants are there?
BLS counts about 71,010 ophthalmic assistants employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Ophthalmic Medical Technicians”. The most jobs are in Florida (7,020), Texas (6,540) and New York (4,250).
The mean (average) annual wage is $47,060, higher than the median of $45,570.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,798
- Biweekly
- $1,753
- Weekly
- $876
- Daily (8 hours)
- $175
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do ophthalmic assistants make an hour?
The median hourly wage for ophthalmic assistants is $21.91. The middle 50% earn between $18.35 and $24.71 an hour.
Which state pays ophthalmic assistants the most?
Minnesota has the highest median wage for ophthalmic assistants at $63,080, +38% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for ophthalmic assistants?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of ophthalmic assistants earn less than $35,700 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.