Description
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.
Interests
- Conventional
- Realistic
Work Values
- Independence
- Relationships
- Support
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Self-Control
- Integrity
- Dependability
Tasks
- Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
- Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
- Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
- Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
- Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Detailed Work Activities
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Medical software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Accounting software
- Office suite software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Speech Recognition
Skills
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Service Orientation
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- Production and Processing
- Administrative
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
National Opticianry Competency CertificationCertifying Organization
American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners
Type
Core
Certificate name
Contact Lens Registry CertificationCertifying Organization
American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners
Type
Core
Certificate name
Contact Lens Registry CertificationCertifying Organization
American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners
Type
Core
Certificate name
National Contact Lens Examiners Advanced CertificationCertifying Organization
American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
National Opticianry Competency CertificationCertifying Organization
American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners
Type
Core
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $38,958 |
| Median (50%) | $47,645 |
| High (90%) | $66,982 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $47,918 |
| Mid Level | $52,219 |
| Senior Level | $51,137 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 77,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 79,500 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 3%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 3%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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