Summary
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Quick Facts: Opticians | |
---|---|
$46,560 per year
$22.38 per hour |
|
High school diploma or equivalent | |
None | |
Long-term on-the-job training | |
79,900 | |
3% (As fast as average) | |
2,300 |
What Opticians Do
Opticians fit customers for eyeglasses and contact lenses and help them select which frames and lenses to buy.
Work Environment
Opticians work in a variety of settings. Some work in offices of optometrists or ophthalmologists. Others work in stores that sell eyeglasses, contact lenses, visual aids, and other optical goods.
How to Become an Optician
Opticians typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and receive on-the-job training. Some opticians enter the occupation with an associate’s degree or a certificate in ophthalmic dispensing or a related field. Some states require opticians to be licensed.
Pay
The median annual wage for opticians was $46,560 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Employment of opticians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 6,800 openings for opticians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for opticians.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of opticians with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about opticians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.