Ophthalmic Medical Technicians vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Ophthalmic Medical Technicians by $52K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Ophthalmic Medical Technicians land at $45,570 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: ophthalmic medical technician programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians is Minnesota ($63,080); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Ophthalmic Medical Technicians median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $45,570 for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $52K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians has the better 10-year outlook at 19.8% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians or Registered Nurses?
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Ophthalmic Medical Technicians get paid the most?
Minnesota is the top-paying state for Ophthalmic Medical Technicians at $63,080/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Ophthalmic Medical Technicians vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Minnesota, Ophthalmic Medical Technicians earn $63,080 vs. $101,510 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.