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.
Opticians, Dispensing
SOC: 29-2081 O*NET: 29-2081.00
Median Salary
$46,560
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.9%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
6.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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 does a Opticians, Dispensing do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,470
10th percentile
Early Career
$37,900
25th percentile
Median
$46,560
50th percentile
Experienced
$59,680
75th percentile
Top Earners
$73,240
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,470
25th
$37,900
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$46,560
Mean: $49,970
75th
$59,680
90th
$73,240
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,770 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $37,900 and $59,680
- •Salary spread is 46.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 79,690 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:79,900
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services54%
Retail Trade44%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners41%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.9%
Annual Openings:6,800
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)79,900
Current
2034 (Projected)82,200
+2.9%
+2,300
Employment Change
+2.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Opticians, Dispensing professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
8,180 jobs$57,7700.88x
Texas
7,100 jobs$36,4000.99x
New York
5,180 jobs$60,1001.05x
Florida
5,030 jobs$56,9200.99x
Illinois
3,660 jobs$41,2301.17x
Michigan
3,220 jobs$39,8701.42x
Ohio
3,190 jobs$48,0801.12x
Pennsylvania
2,750 jobs$44,0100.89x
Georgia
2,580 jobs$45,6401.03x
Virginia
2,500 jobs$54,3201.19x
New Jersey
2,260 jobs$66,2501.03x
Washington
2,000 jobs$48,3201.09x
Indiana
1,900 jobs$37,7401.16x
North Carolina
1,890 jobs$49,5700.75x
Arizona
1,670 jobs$46,5201.01x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Persuasion
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Social Perceptiveness
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Persuasion
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Persuasion
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks100%
5 shared skills
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Advertising Sales Agents82%
5 shared skills
Community Health Workers82%
5 shared skills
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers82%
5 shared skills
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Persuasion
- →Coordination
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Opticians, Dispensing
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Communication & Coordination (1)Operations & Execution (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Training & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Prepare work orders and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination91% perform94%
5
Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping88% perform92%
6
Perform administrative duties, such as tracking inventory and sales, submitting patient insurance information, and performing simple bookkeeping.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and goods related to eyes, in general.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Opticians, Dispensing
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Opticians, Dispensing professionals typically have a CRE Holland code and highly value independence
CConventional
RRealistic
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Opticians, Dispensing
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.71
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.46
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.46
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.42
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.38
Analytical Thinking
Very ImportantAnalytical Thinking
Importance Level4.25
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Cooperation
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Integrity
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Concern for Others
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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