by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, optometric technician/assistant was the 1,056 most popular major nationwide with 187 degrees awarded. This 29 less than the prior year, a decrease of 15.5%.
This year's Best Optometric Technician/Assistant Schools ranking compares 3 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of optometric technician/assistant programs later in this article.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is a required skill for optometric technician/assistant majors. Talking to others to convey information effectively and being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do are all required skills for careers related to this major.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most optometric technician/assistant degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific optometric technician/assistant careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Optometric Technician/Assistant degree levels vary. Optometric Technician/Assistant programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest optometric technician/assistant degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a optometric technician/assistant degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to optometric technician/assistant, with approximately 13.0% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for optometric technician/assistant workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 43.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 30.4% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 13.0% |
| Some College Courses | 8.7% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in optometric technician/assistant careers have.
This of course varies depending on which optometric technician/assistant career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your optometric technician/assistant degree? Optometric Technician/Assistant careers are expected to grow 19.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to optometric technician/assistant.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 53,200 | 19.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for optometric technician/assistant graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for optometric technician/assistant graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers optometric technician/assistant grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $38,220 |
With over 27 different optometric technician/assistant degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased optometric technician/assistant school rankings to help you with this.
One of 4 majors within the Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services area of study, Optometric Technician/Assistant has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician | 511 |
| Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist | 216 |
| Other Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions | 44 |
| Orthoptics/Orthoptist | 2 |
