Orthoptists in Iowa
Considering working as an Orthoptists in Iowa? Here’s what the data says. All healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners not listed separately.
What do Orthoptists Make in Iowa?
The orthoptists working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $86,830 per year (or about $41.75/hour).Pay can range from $55,950 at the 10th percentile to $127,520 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| 25th percentile | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Median (50th) | $86,830 | $41.75 |
| 75th percentile | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| 90th percentile | $127,520 | $61.31 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Iowa relative to the national average — is 1.00.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, orthoptists earn a median of $135,811 per year ($65.29/hour), lower than the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 2,797,992 orthoptists nationwide. In Iowa alone, about 310 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 280 orthoptists.
Top Iowa Metros for Orthoptists
These are the Iowa metros with the most orthoptists in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | 210 | $85,920 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 70 | $85,970 |
Top States for Orthoptists Employment
These states have the highest employment of orthoptists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Maryland | 6,190 |
| Georgia | 3,010 |
| California | 1,650 |
| Texas | 1,200 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,110 |
| North Carolina | 1,000 |
| Ohio | 970 |
| Illinois | 920 |
| Rhode Island | 890 |
| Washington | 820 |
| Colorado | 730 |
| Massachusetts | 710 |
| Michigan | 650 |
| Arizona | 540 |
| New Jersey | 530 |
| South Carolina | 520 |
| District of Columbia | 500 |
| Virginia | 490 |
| Oregon | 420 |
| Minnesota | 400 |
Highest-Paying States for Orthoptists
Where orthoptists earn the most: orthoptists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $160,560 |
| District of Columbia | $145,480 |
| Virginia | $128,940 |
| Montana | $124,550 |
| Georgia | $123,840 |
| California | $118,210 |
| New York | $117,190 |
| Hawaii | $116,800 |
| Utah | $113,730 |
| North Carolina | $112,590 |
Skills
Key orthoptists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for orthoptists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, orthoptists typically:
- Examine patients with problems related to ocular motility, binocular vision, amblyopia, or strabismus.
- Evaluate, diagnose, or treat disorders of the visual system with an emphasis on binocular vision or abnormal eye movements.
- Provide instructions to patients or family members concerning diagnoses or treatment plans.
- Perform diagnostic tests or measurements, such as motor testing, visual acuity testing, lensometry, retinoscopy, and color vision testing.
- Provide nonsurgical interventions, including corrective lenses, patches, drops, fusion exercises, or stereograms, to treat conditions such as strabismus, heterophoria, and convergence insufficiency.
- Develop nonsurgical treatment plans for patients with conditions such as strabismus, nystagmus, and other visual disorders.
- Interpret clinical or diagnostic test results.
- Develop or use special test and communication techniques to facilitate diagnosis and treatment of children or patients with disabilities.
- Provide training related to clinical methods or orthoptics to students, resident physicians, or other health professionals.
- Refer patients to ophthalmic surgeons or other physicians.
- Prepare diagnostic or treatment reports for other medical practitioners or therapists.
- Collaborate with ophthalmologists, optometrists, or other specialists in the diagnosis, treatment, or management of conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal diseases.
Work Activities
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Training and Teaching Others
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
- Working with Computers
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Alternative Medicine & Systems
- Alternative Medical Support Services
- Energy & Bio-Based Therapies
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to orthoptists include:
- Optometrists
- Physician Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Anesthesiologists
Also Known As
Certified Orthoptist, Clinical Orthoptist (CO), Orthoptist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1299.02