by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Orthoptics/Orthoptist involves the study of Orthoptics/orthoptist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Ophthalmologists, To Analyze, Evaluate, And Treat Specific Disorders Of Vision, Eye Movement, And Eye Alignment In Children And Adults. Includes Instruction In Eye Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology, Ophthalmic Optics, Diagnostic Testing And Measurement, Orthoptic Treatment Therapy, Systemic Ocular Diseases And Disorders, Principles Of Surgery, Examination Techniques, Patient Education, Child Psychology And Development, Learning Disabilities, Medical Writing, And Record-Keeping. Read on to learn the essential details every orthoptics/orthoptist student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering orthoptics/orthoptist programs.
In the U.S., orthoptics/orthoptist draws strong interest, with 1 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Orthoptics/Orthoptist Schools ranking analyzes these 1 schools to determine the best overall colleges for orthoptics/orthoptist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of orthoptics/orthoptist programs later in this article.
Studies in Orthoptics/Orthoptist develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations orthoptics/orthoptist graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a orthoptics/orthoptist program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a orthoptics/orthoptist major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several orthoptics/orthoptist 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1 |
People currently working in careers related to orthoptics/orthoptist tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 59.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 27.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.1% |
| Some college courses | 4.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in orthoptics/orthoptist careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in orthoptics/orthoptist can lead to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to orthoptics/orthoptist.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to orthoptics/orthoptist.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 654,936 | 3.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of orthoptics/orthoptist graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,118 |
| 4 years | $36,016 |
| 5 years | $38,680 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for orthoptics/orthoptist graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers orthoptics/orthoptist grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $51,958 |
With 1 different orthoptics/orthoptist programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased orthoptics/orthoptist school rankings to help you.
Students interested in orthoptics/orthoptist, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician | 352 |
| Optometric Technician/Assistant | 201 |
| Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist | 148 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other | 40 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
