Opticians (Dispensing)
O*NET title: 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.
Also called: Certified Optician, Contact Lens Fitter, Contact Lens Technician, Dispensing and Measuring Optician, Dispensing Optician, Eyecare Advisor
Median pay
$47,260
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$35,610 – $76,750
People employed
73,530
Holland code
CRE
Conventional · Realistic · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 4.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 5.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
- 6.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 7.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Opticians (Dispensing) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What opticians (dispensing) do
- 01Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
- 02Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
- 03Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
- 04Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
- 05Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
- 06Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Administrative
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs vocational training or an associate degree (O*NET Job Zone 3).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from opticians (dispensing)
- Dental Assistants77% · +2%
- Medical Assistants74% · −3%
- New Accounts Clerks74% · +1%
- Tellers74% · −9%
- Skincare Specialists74% · −4%
Change into opticians (dispensing)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Pharmacy Aides78% · $37,680
- Dental Assistants73% · $48,070
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists72% · $35,790
- Parts Salespersons70% · $38,630
- Skincare Specialists70% · $45,330
Majors that lead here
- Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.