Best institutions to study 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.
3 U.S. institutions graduated 72 Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1006, a specialization of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10), and leads most directly to the Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 51-9083).
About Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician programs
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.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to work under the supervision of ophthalmologists and optometrists in the fabrication of eyewear. Students learn to cut, grind, edge, and finish corrective lenses, equipping them with the skills needed to support eye care professionals in delivering quality vision solutions. This program is ideal for those interested in health professions and related fields, offering a pathway into a specialized area of clinical and medical laboratory science. With a focus on practical skills and safety procedures, graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce in this essential healthcare sector.
Students in the program gain knowledge in optical theory, applied mathematics, lens surfacing, and finishing techniques. Coursework includes training in equipment operation, prescription interpretation, and laboratory safety procedures, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the skills required for successful practice in ophthalmic laboratory technology.
Credentials awarded
What Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year65 graduates / yr · 2 institutions90%
- Associate's degree7 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.7%
Graduates over time
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 82 |
| 2014 | 64 |
| 2015 | 65 |
| 2016 | 83 |
| 2017 | 60 |
| 2018 | 53 |
| 2019 | 64 |
| 2020 | 63 |
| 2021 | 78 |
| 2022 | 72 |
| 2023 | 71 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 72 |
Top 3 institutions for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsborough College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 52 | 34% | — | $61,237 |
| 2 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 13 | 39% | — | — |
| 3 | Southwest University at El Paso El Paso, TXPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 7 | 59% | $19,240 | $30,423 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 2 states
Where Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 2 | 65 | Hillsborough College52 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 7 | Southwest University at El Paso7 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 51-9083, Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician program can pursue careers as Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians, with an average annual wage of $38,420. The job outlook is stable, with an expected growth rate of 2.3% and approximately 2,400 annual openings. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry into this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1006
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ophthalmic Laboratory Techniciansprimary SOC 51-9083 | $39,460 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~2,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Mount and secure lens blanks or optical lenses in holding tools or chucks of cutting, polishing, grinding, or coating machines.
- Inspect lens blanks to detect flaws, verify smoothness of surface, and ensure thickness of coating on lenses.
- Set up machines to polish, bevel, edge, or grind lenses, flats, blanks, or other precision optical elements.
- Inspect, weigh, and measure mounted or unmounted lenses after completion to verify alignment and conformance to specifications, using precision instruments.
- Shape lenses appropriately so that they can be inserted into frames.
- Clean finished lenses and eyeglasses, using cloths and solvents.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10).
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions - Clinical Laboratory Science/CIP 51.1005
Medical Technology/ Technologist 4,160 graduates / yr233 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions - Sterile Processing Technology/CIP 51.1012
Technician 2,477 graduates / yr105 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Cytotechnology/CIP 51.1002
Cytotechnologist 137 graduates / yr16 institutions - Histologic Technology/CIP 51.1007
Histotechnologist 98 graduates / yr16 institutions - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and various technical tasks related to lens fabrication.
What is the job outlook for ophthalmic laboratory technicians?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.3% and 2,400 annual openings.
What tasks will I perform as an ophthalmic laboratory technician?+
You will mount lenses, inspect and measure lenses, set up machines, and shape lenses for insertion into frames.
What is the CIP code for Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician?+
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician is CIP 51.1006 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician programs?+
3 U.S. institutions reported Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 2 states, awarding 72 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians occupation, which Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $39,460 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $61,237 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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