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Learn How to Become an Optician

By: All Allied Health Staff

Updated: July 9, 2026

Key Takeaways

It’s important to understand the differences among an optician, optometrist and ophthalmologist.
Certification is recommended and often required, with options from the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners.
Opticians must re-certify every three years to maintain their credentials.

Optician Career At a Glance

What you’ll do: As an optician—or dispensing optician—you’ll fill eye wear prescriptions written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You’ll write work orders to help ophthalmic lab technicians correctly fill prescriptions, and help patients select the frames and lens styles that best suit their needs and facial features.

Where you’ll work: Opticians usually work in a medical office or in a retail environment. Both full- and part-time positions are generally available.

Degree you’ll need: High school diploma or GED and completion of a 1- to 2-year certificate, diploma or associate degree program

Median annual salary: $47,260

Optician Job Description

Your daily duties as an optician will likely include the following:

Help clients select the type of glasses most appropriate for their lifestyle
Take clients’ facial measurements
Customize glasses to suit client’s faces by making adjustments to the frames
Keep customer records up-to-date
Work with insurance companies to maximize your clients’ benefits
Track sales and inventory

The Difference Between an Optician, Optometrist and Ophthalmologist

Optician: Works with optometrists and ophthalmologists by filling their prescriptions and dispensing eyewear.
Optometrist: Although not a medical doctor, an optometrist has a post-bachelor’s degree in optometry and is licensed to practice. In addition to performing eye exams and prescribing glasses and contact lenses, in some states optometrists are also licensed to prescribe drugs for eye problems and perform eye surgeries, such as foreign-body removal.
Ophthalmologist: A medical doctor licensed to practice medicine and perform eye surgery. Ophthalmologists treat and diagnose eye diseases, prescribe medication and also fit patients with glasses and contact lenses.

Certification

Regulations vary from state to state, however certification is highly recommended because most employers require it. The American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) offer national certification and testing for opticians. Opticians must re-certify every 3 years.

Median Annual Optician Salary

According to the 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for opticians is $47,260. Wages vary according to your education, experience, time on the job, and where you live.

Take a look at the median annual wage for your state.

Opticians, Dispensing

National data

Median Salary: $47,260

Projected job growth: 4.2%

10th Percentile: $35,610

25th Percentile: $38,820

75th Percentile: $61,700

90th Percentile: $76,750