How to Become an Optician
Optician 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: $37,570
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 Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook’s 2021 data reports the median annual salary for opticians as $37,570. 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.
National data
Median Salary: $37,570
Projected job growth: 3.7%
10th Percentile: $28,910
25th Percentile: $30,310
75th Percentile: $47,660
90th Percentile: $60,280
Projected job growth: 3.7%
State data
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $29,460 | $26,730 | $45,950 |
| Alaska | $58,500 | $36,270 | $73,380 |
| Arizona | $38,330 | $29,650 | $58,640 |
| Arkansas | $36,730 | $28,230 | $58,180 |
| California | $47,020 | $30,150 | $73,700 |
| Colorado | $38,500 | $29,690 | $59,470 |
| Connecticut | $64,320 | $36,820 | $88,970 |
| Delaware | $38,240 | $23,310 | $58,640 |
| District of Columbia | $36,700 | $31,200 | $59,110 |
| Florida | $45,850 | $24,480 | $60,320 |
| Georgia | $41,560 | $29,150 | $59,470 |
| Hawaii | $58,500 | $22,200 | $92,410 |
| Idaho | $30,720 | $27,320 | $47,630 |
| Illinois | $36,590 | $28,820 | $47,240 |
| Indiana | $33,450 | $28,460 | $46,420 |
| Iowa | $36,360 | $28,550 | $46,650 |
| Kansas | $34,340 | $26,980 | $46,420 |
| Kentucky | $36,970 | $23,430 | $58,180 |
| Louisiana | $29,650 | $22,960 | $45,850 |
| Maine | $37,710 | $29,650 | $56,490 |
| Maryland | $38,280 | $29,110 | $48,020 |
| Massachusetts | $57,340 | $37,430 | $74,270 |
| Michigan | $36,950 | $29,000 | $47,170 |
| Minnesota | $44,430 | $30,630 | $50,950 |
| Mississippi | $29,460 | $28,300 | $46,170 |
| Missouri | $31,440 | $28,430 | $47,440 |
| Montana | $37,510 | $29,280 | $57,630 |
| Nebraska | $30,500 | $25,100 | $45,810 |
| Nevada | $36,860 | $28,560 | $73,700 |
| New Hampshire | $38,150 | $29,780 | $59,390 |
| New Jersey | $61,380 | $46,700 | $75,200 |
| New Mexico | $37,180 | $28,820 | $47,120 |
| New York | $58,780 | $37,510 | $74,270 |
| North Carolina | $37,860 | $28,940 | $61,220 |
| North Dakota | $37,130 | $28,830 | $47,210 |
| Ohio | $45,850 | $29,180 | $58,180 |
| Oklahoma | $29,960 | $23,450 | $46,170 |
| Oregon | $38,810 | $29,650 | $60,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,060 | $28,620 | $47,150 |
| Rhode Island | $46,210 | $29,060 | $58,640 |
| South Carolina | $43,000 | $28,950 | $60,670 |
| South Dakota | $30,950 | $29,010 | $46,170 |
| Tennessee | $37,510 | $28,750 | $60,160 |
| Texas | $34,180 | $28,510 | $45,420 |
| Utah | $29,610 | $21,550 | $47,460 |
| Vermont | $47,000 | $36,810 | $77,180 |
| Virginia | $47,440 | $30,970 | $60,520 |
| Washington | $46,750 | $32,150 | $61,000 |
| West Virginia | $34,580 | $28,090 | $37,510 |
| Wisconsin | $37,510 | $29,270 | $49,010 |
| Wyoming | $29,650 | $29,000 | $46,210 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.