Optometric Technician

Also called: Optometric Assistant, Paraoptometric

Runs eye tests in an optometrist's office before the doctor sees the patient.

A day in the life

Checks patients in, runs eye pressure and peripheral vision tests, takes photos of the retina, and helps people pick out frames.

Pay over a career

Starting
$32k
Typical
$40k
High
$52k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; on-the-job training; CPO/CPOT certification optional.

Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.

Outlook

Growing about average. Steady.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. Combo testing machines run pressure and field tests with little help; check-in and frame fitting remain.

Could start right away

Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to optometrist offices and eye-care chains for technician jobs

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, Computer applications, Health-science CTE.

Official data: O*NET occupation 29-2057.

More Vision & Hearing careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.