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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Opticians, Dispensing

Median Salary
44,170
Job Outlook
+9%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

84%

Self-employed

9%

Private not for profit

5%

State and local government

1%

Federal Government

1%

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Employment of opticians is projected to grow 3 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 7,400 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.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$24,960

10%

$44,170

Median

$66,730

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • High school

    45%

  • Associate's degree

    25%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    25%

  • Some college

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Leadership

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Production and Processing
  • Mathematics
  • Education and Training

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Repetitiveness

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Responsibility

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.