Opticians earn $47,260 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $38,820 and $61,700. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
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.
Also known as:
Opticians earn $47,260 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,820 and $61,700. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Opticians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +2.9% employment change for Opticians through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 6,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Opticians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $47,260 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 8,180 | $57,770 | +22.2% |
| 2 | Texas | 7,100 | $36,400 | -23.0% |
| 3 | New York | 5,180 | $60,100 | +27.2% |
| 4 | Florida | 5,030 | $56,920 | +20.4% |
| 5 | Illinois | 3,660 | $41,230 | -12.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Opticians positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Optometry & Vision | 760 | — | 79 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN | 83 | $16,778 | $69,020 |
| 3 | Edgecombe Community College Tarboro, NC | 81 | $0 | $33,267 |
| 4 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta, GA | 80 | $614 | $30,864 |
| 5 | Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NC | 80 | $4,157 | $31,656 |
| 6 | Southwestern Community College Sylva, NC | 79 | $5,207 | $34,145 |
Once you've sized up Opticians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Opticians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
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Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Opticians shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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