Ophthalmic & Optometric Services
Quick Facts: Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Training
Where it's offered
Ophthalmic & Optometric Services programs are offered at 17 schools across 11 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $35,459/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Ophthalmic & Optometric Services — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 17 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 38/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Graduates Do
Your career in eye care will place you in one of two key settings. As an ophthalmic medical technician, you’ll work in a fast-paced clinic, directly assisting an ophthalmologist. Your day will involve using diagnostic tools like tonometers to check eye pressure, conducting vision tests, and preparing patients for exams. Alternatively, as a dispensing optician, you’ll be in a retail environment, helping customers find the perfect frames and lenses. You'll use a lensometer to verify prescriptions and make precise, hands-on adjustments for a comfortable fit.
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Both paths offer clear growth. You might begin as an assistant, but with experience and certifications, you'll take on more complex procedures and gain independence. The demand for technicians is growing exceptionally fast. Senior technicians can specialize in surgical assisting, while experienced opticians may manage a store or even open their own. While starting salaries are solid, your earnings grow with these specializations. AI tools might help analyze diagnostic scans or suggest frame options, but the core hands-on work of patient care and custom-fitting eyewear remains a fundamentally human skill.
Related programs worth comparing: Mind-Body Therapies, Health Sciences, and Dental Assisting.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 2 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Ophthalmic & Optometric Services. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ophthalmic Dispen Opt/Contact Lens
RAPIDS 0089HY |
6000+ hrs | Hybrid | $38K – $46,560 – $60K | 2.9% |
|
Optician Dispensing
RAPIDS 89 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $38K – $46,560 – $60K | 2.9% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Ophthalmic & Optometric Services is offered at 17 schools across 11 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Ophthalmic & Optometric Services programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
17 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC |
72 68–73 |
| 2 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL |
69 65–69 |
| 3 | Hillsborough Community College Tampa, FL |
66 62–67 |
| 4 | Essex County College Newark, NJ |
50 47–50 |
| 5 | Triton College River Grove, IL |
49 45–49 |
| 6 | Roane State Community College Harriman, TN |
48 45–48 |
| 7 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Boston, MA |
46 42–47 |
| 8 | American Career College-Ontario Ontario, CA |
45 41–46 |
| 9 | Goodwin University East Hartford, CT |
44 40–45 |
| 10 | Institute for Business and Technology Santa Clara, CA |
42 38–43 |
| 11 | National Career Education Citrus Heights, CA |
42 38–43 |
| 12 | Lamson Institute San Antonio, TX |
42 38–43 |
| 13 | American Career College-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA |
42 37–42 |
| 14 | CUNY New York City College of Technology Brooklyn, NY |
40 36–41 |
| 15 | Erie Community College Buffalo, NY |
38 35–39 |
| 16 | North-West College-West Covina West Covina, CA |
38 33–39 |
| 17 | Columbia Central University-Caguas Caguas, PR |
31 27–31 |
Highest Earning Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Programs
Schools where Ophthalmic & Optometric Services graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College | $61,860/yr | 72 |
| Miami Dade College | $57,932/yr | 69 |
| Hillsborough Community College | $48,106/yr | 66 |
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | $44,504/yr | 46 |
| Goodwin University | $41,025/yr | 44 |
| Essex County College | $37,740/yr | 50 |
| Triton College | $34,697/yr | 49 |
| Roane State Community College | $33,853/yr | 48 |
| American Career College-Ontario | $32,524/yr | 45 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | $29,187/yr | 40 |
Best ROI for Ophthalmic & Optometric Services
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Ophthalmic & Optometric Services.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham Technical Community College | 154.7x | $61,860/yr | 72 |
| Miami Dade College | 101.1x | $57,932/yr | 69 |
| Hillsborough Community College | 95.0x | $48,106/yr | 66 |
| Triton College | 38.2x | $34,697/yr | 49 |
| Roane State Community College | 36.8x | $33,853/yr | 48 |
| Essex County College | 34.3x | $37,740/yr | 50 |
| Erie Community College | 20.9x | $26,746/yr | 38 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | 20.2x | $29,187/yr | 40 |
| Columbia Central University-Caguas | 11.7x | $18,613/yr | 31 |
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 10.8x | $44,504/yr | 46 |
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