Opticians, Dispensing
Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 750 | $33,680 | $16.19 | |
| Alaska | 40 | $55,900 | $26.87 | |
| Arizona | 1,360 | $42,040 | $20.21 | |
| Arkansas | 520 | $41,390 | $19.90 | |
| California | 8,830 | $53,440 | $25.69 | |
| Colorado | 1,400 | $42,540 | $20.45 | |
| Connecticut | 460 | $66,540 | $31.99 | |
| Delaware | 130 | $40,860 | $19.65 | |
| District of Columbia | 70 | $41,370 | $19.89 | |
| Florida | 4,010 | $43,330 | $20.83 | |
| Georgia | 1,650 | $42,650 | $20.50 | |
| Hawaii | 190 | $54,900 | $26.40 | |
| Idaho | 520 | $35,400 | $17.02 | |
| Illinois | 3,670 | $36,720 | $17.65 | |
| Indiana | 1,820 | $34,890 | $16.77 | |
| Iowa | 980 | $35,500 | $17.07 | |
| Kansas | 730 | $34,790 | $16.73 | |
| Kentucky | 970 | $38,990 | $18.75 | |
| Louisiana | 1,170 | $32,430 | $15.59 | |
| Maine | 270 | $41,540 | $19.97 | |
| Maryland | 1,240 | $40,790 | $19.61 | |
| Massachusetts | 1,240 | $59,840 | $28.77 | |
| Michigan | 3,840 | $38,360 | $18.44 | |
| Minnesota | 1,870 | $42,660 | $20.51 | |
| Mississippi | 470 | $34,480 | $16.58 | |
| Missouri | 1,500 | $35,840 | $17.23 | |
| Montana | 380 | $40,820 | $19.63 | |
| Nebraska | 630 | $33,240 | $15.98 | |
| Nevada | 630 | $44,650 | $21.46 | |
| New Hampshire | 380 | $44,440 | $21.37 | |
| New Jersey | 1,290 | $62,300 | $29.95 | |
| New Mexico | 700 | $37,540 | $18.05 | |
| New York | 3,810 | $56,640 | $27.23 | |
| North Carolina | 2,060 | $44,830 | $21.55 | |
| North Dakota | 500 | $38,540 | $18.53 | |
| Ohio | 3,000 | $43,090 | $20.72 | |
| Oklahoma | 580 | $33,820 | $16.26 | |
| Oregon | 1,090 | $43,440 | $20.88 | |
| Pennsylvania | 3,340 | $35,870 | $17.24 | |
| Rhode Island | 130 | $44,160 | $21.23 | |
| South Carolina | 950 | $44,100 | $21.20 | |
| South Dakota | 410 | $34,480 | $16.58 | |
| Tennessee | 1,550 | $42,150 | $20.26 | |
| Texas | 5,060 | $34,040 | $16.37 | |
| Utah | 1,260 | $33,490 | $16.10 | |
| Vermont | 80 | $54,820 | $26.36 | |
| Virginia | 1,900 | $49,990 | $24.04 | |
| Washington | 1,910 | $47,910 | $23.04 | |
| West Virginia | 270 | $33,230 | $15.97 | |
| Wisconsin | 1,460 | $39,870 | $19.17 | |
| Wyoming | 150 | $33,830 | $16.26 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to adapt and fit corrective eyewear, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, as prescribed by ophthalmologists or optometrists; to assist patients in selecting appropriate frames; and to prepare work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians. Includes instruction in geometrical optics, ophthalmic optics, anatomy of the eye, optical instrumentation, use and maintenance of adjustment and cleaning tools, prescription interpretation, contact lens adaptation and fitting, prosthesis fitting, facial and eye measuring, pathology identification, record-keeping, and patient and business administrative tasks.
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$43,060 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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High school diploma or equivalentTypical education requirement
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Long-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as opticians, dispensing.
- Less than high school 2%
- High school graduate 25%
- College dropout 32%
- Associate’s degree 18%
- Bachelor’s degree 20%
- Master’s degree 2%
- Doctorate degree 2%
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