by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician explores Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Ophthalmologists And Optometrists, To Cut, Grind, Edge, And Finish Corrective Lenses And To Fabricate Eyewear. Includes Instruction In Optical Theory, Applied Mathematics, Lens Surfacing And Finishing, Tinting And Coating, Impact Resistance Treatment And Testing, Frame Construction And Repair, Prescription Interpretation, Equipment Operation And Maintenance, Follow-Up Adjustment, Record-Keeping, And Laboratory Safety Procedures. Continue reading for the key facts every ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician programs.
In the U.S., ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 76 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 3 schools to determine the best overall colleges for ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 67 |
People currently working in careers related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 23.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 21.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 15.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 11.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 5.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 5.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.9% |
| First professional degree | 0.6% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 735,729 | -3.7% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,942 |
| 4 years | $39,910 |
| 5 years | $44,672 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | $37,805 |
With 3 different ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Students interested in ophthalmic laboratory technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
