What are careers in optics?

Careers in optics include opticians, ophthalmic medical technologists, and optometrists. Optician Opticians are responsible for selling eyeglasses. They can help patients select the right frames or contacts. They are also able to dispense and repair eyeglasses. Manufacturing opticians are responsible for making, repairing, and ensuring the fit of lenses into frames. Ophthalmic Medical Technologist Ophthalmic Medical Technologists are responsible for clinical tasks. They prepare patients to see the doctor. This preparation includes obtaining medical history and performing some of the required tests. If necessary, exam room preparation, vision screening, and medication administration are all part of their job. Optometrist Optometrists conduct examinations and tests of the eyes to assess eye health and diagnose any vision problems. They are responsible for determining if a patient needs corrective lenses. An optometrist can prescribe medications if needed and refer patients to optical specialists. Ophthalmologist Ophthalmologists are responsible for performing eye surgeries. They specialize in treating eye diseases. They typically perform operations in surgical centers and hospitals. Their jobs are otherwise similar to an optometrist in terms of eye examinations and prescriptions.

What is an optician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted Expert

Dr. Todd Peabody

An optician specializes in the fitting and dispensing of lenses for vision correction. They work closely with optometrists and ophthalmologists to ensure patients receive the precise lenses they need. Opticians also help customers choose the most appropriate frames based on factors such as lifestyle, budget, and personal style. They may also perform eye tests and frame adjustments. Overall, opticians help people see clearly and comfortably by providing high-quality eyewear solutions.

What general advice would you give to an Optician?

Dr. Todd Peabody

Clinical Associate Professor, Associate Dean, Indiana University

You're not an island and can take better care of your patients with the help of fellow professionals as well as friends and colleagues. Don't hesitate to reach out for guidance and advice. Find a few mentors who can help you plot your course through your professional career. Create specific, actionable goals that you revisit on a periodic basis.

ScoreOpticianUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,412

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

6.4

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%

Asian 9.22%

Black or African American 5.65%

Hispanic or Latino 19.22%

Unknown 3.84%

White 61.71%

Gender

female 77.80%

male 22.20%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress Level

6.4

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

7.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

7.4

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an Optician?

Pros

Good job security due to demand for vision care
Potential for flexible working hours
Ability to work in a small office or large retail setting
Opportunities for career advancement
High earning potential with experience and certification

Cons

Exposure to hazardous materials and chemicals used in lens manufacturing and cleaning
Risk of eye strain or other vision problems due to prolonged use of computer screens and other equipment
Potential for repetitive motion injuries from frequent use of tools and equipment
Work can be physically demanding, requiring standing for long periods and lifting heavy objects
Need to work evenings and weekends to accommodate patient schedules

Key steps to become an optician

Explore optician education requirements

Most common optician degrees

Bachelor's

31.0 %

High School Diploma

26.7 %

Associate

26.1 %

Start to develop specific optician skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	31.05%
Customer Service	22.51%
Basic Math	5.33%
Patient Care	5.30%
Math	3.33%

Complete relevant optician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New opticians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an optician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real optician resumes.

Gain additional optician certifications

Optician certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific optician certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for opticians include Cisco Optical Specialist 1 and HIPAA Professional (HIPAAP).

More About Certifications

Research optician duties and responsibilities

Manage appointments and appointment reminders, checking in/out patients, check insurance eligibility.
Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
Show manual dexterity, hand eye coordination and precision to work with different types of lenses and tools.
Assist patients with frame selections and lenses that are best suit for their lifestyle, Rx and price needs.

Prepare your optician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your optician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an optician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Optician Resume templates

Build a professional Optician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Optician resume.

Apply for optician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an optician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do opticians rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Optician reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Pros

an optician: Working with patients. I enjoy helping them choose the right eyewear for their needs. And I enjoy the response they have when they put on their new pair of glasses and smile.

Cons

Very little. The only thing I would dislike is another employee disrespecting a patient. Other than that, I enjoy my job very much.

4.0

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019