Optician: Job Description, Skills & Career Path

Optician Career Guide: Role, Training, and Outlook

Job Duties

• Interpret prescriptions; fit, adjust, and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Measure facial parameters (PD, seg height, vertex distance).
• Recommend frames/lenses per lifestyle, budget, Rx.
• Fabricate lenses (cutting, edging, coating) in-house or coordinate lab.
• Repair frames; educate patients on lens care.
• Manage inventory, sales, insurance billing.

Education & Licensure

• Associate degree (2 yr) in ophthalmic dispensing or apprenticeship (2–3 yr).
• National certification: ABO (American Board of Opticianry) & NCLE (Contact Lens Examiners).
• State licensure required in ~23 states.

Salary (2023 BLS)

• Median: $39,610/year ($19.04/hr)
• Top 10%: >$62,000; Bottom 10%: <$28,000

Job Outlook

Projected growth: 15% (2022–2032)—much faster than average. Driven by aging population, increased vision correction demand, and fashion eyewear trends.

Work Settings

Optical retail chains, private optometry/ophthalmology offices, hospitals, wholesale labs. Most full-time; evenings/weekends common in retail.