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Healthcare

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Opticians, Dispensing
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Median pay

$46,560
Median annual pay for Opticians, Dispensing.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

2.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

6,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

79,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Opticians, Dispensing in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+2,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Speaking
  2. 2Active Listening
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Sales and Marketing
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Production and Processing
  5. 5Administrative
  6. 6English Language

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Near Vision
  4. 4Speech Clarity
  5. 5Speech Recognition
  6. 6Written Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Social Orientation
  6. 6Empathy

Work activities

  1. 1Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  2. 2Documenting/Recording Information
  3. 3Selling or Influencing Others
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Telephone Conversations
  3. 3Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  4. 4Contact With Others
  5. 5Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
  6. 6E-Mail

Representative 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.
  • Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
  • Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.
  • Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.

Software and tools

Intuit QuickBooks · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyCompulink Eyecare AdvantageCygnet Infotech OptifocusDatabase softwareDiversified Ophthalmics Practice MaximusEMRlogic Systems ENTERPRISE VisionsEZ-Zone Optizone EnterpriseFirst Insight MaximEyesHealthLine Systems Eyecom

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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