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29-2081

Opticians, Dispensing

Role Overview

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.

Salary by State (top paying)

State Median salary
New Jersey $66,250
Connecticut $64,780
Massachusetts $63,810
New York $60,100
District of Columbia $59,110
California $57,770
Vermont $57,500
Florida $56,920
Alaska $56,260
Hawaii $56,090
Virginia $54,320
Rhode Island $50,380
North Carolina $49,570
Oregon $49,550
New Hampshire $49,400

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for this career?

Projected growth and annual openings are from BLS Employment Projections. Use the sidebar for median salary and growth rate.

How does salary vary by state?

See the Salary by State table above for state-level median wages from OEWS data.

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), BLS Employment Projections.

Median Annual Salary

$46,560

Projected Growth (10yr)

+2.9%

Avg. annual openings

6.8k

Market Insight

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