As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Ophthalmic Assistant in the United States is $64,519 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, an Ophthalmic Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Ophthalmic Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $69,178 | $5,765 | $1,330 | $33 |
| Average | $64,519 | $5,377 | $1,241 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,174 | $4,681 | $1,080 | $27 |
An Ophthalmic Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Ophthalmic Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Ophthalmic Assistant | $63,707 |
| Intermediate Level Ophthalmic Assistant | $63,939 |
| Senior Level Ophthalmic Assistant | $66,555 |
| Specialist Level Ophthalmic Assistant | $68,224 |
| Expert Level Ophthalmic Assistant | $68,344 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 12.09% |
| Photography | 2.58% |
| Triage | 1.67% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Ophthalmic Assistant's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Accountability | $71,616 | |
| Patient Education | $68,390 | |
| Flexibility | $67,745 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Ophthalmic Assistants enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Ophthalmic Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,121 and $54,881).
| Typical Education for Ophthalmic Assistant | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 1.9% |
| High School | 58.7% |
| Associates | 21.1% |
| Bachelors | 16.1% |
| Masters | 1.3% |
| Doctorate | 1.0% |
Understanding how an Ophthalmic Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $69,178 | $5,765 | $1,330 | $33 |
| Average | $64,519 | $5,377 | $1,241 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,174 | $4,681 | $1,080 | $27 |
Salaries for an Ophthalmic Assistant can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,665 in 2023 to around $54,291 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Ophthalmic Assistant salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $54,665 |
| 2024 | $54,915 |
| 2025 | $54,291 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Ophthalmic Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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