What You Need to Know About Dispensing Optician
Dispensing Optician Example 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.
What Do Dispensing Opticians Do On a Daily Basis?
- Fabricate lenses to meet prescription specifications.
- Repair damaged frames.
- 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.
- Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
- Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and other goods related to eyes in general.
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Qualities of a Dispensing Optician
These are the skills Dispensing Opticians say are the most useful in their careers:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Contact Lens Technician
- Optical Manager
- Licensed Optical Dispenser
- Dispensing and Measuring Optician
- Optometric Technician
What Kind of Dispensing Optician Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 77,600 jobs for Dispensing Optician in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 15.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,700 new jobs for Dispensing Optician by 2026. The BLS estimates 7,000 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Dispensing Optician are Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Kansas, or Rhode Island. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Dispensing Opticians Make A Lot Of Money?
The salary for Dispensing Opticians ranges between about $24,670 and $60,030 a year.

Dispensing Opticians who work in New Jersey, Massachusetts, or New York, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Dispensing Opticians in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $32,660 |
Alaska | $45,500 |
Arizona | $37,990 |
Arkansas | $36,940 |
California | $42,760 |
Colorado | $39,510 |
Connecticut | $52,980 |
Delaware | $36,770 |
District of Columbia | $46,230 |
Florida | $40,290 |
Georgia | $36,330 |
Hawaii | $44,780 |
Idaho | $32,130 |
Illinois | $37,360 |
Indiana | $30,720 |
Iowa | $33,560 |
Kansas | $30,770 |
Kentucky | $40,340 |
Louisiana | $32,310 |
Maine | $37,690 |
Maryland | $44,290 |
Massachusetts | $60,240 |
Michigan | $35,910 |
Minnesota | $39,510 |
Mississippi | $31,990 |
Missouri | $39,170 |
Montana | $33,050 |
Nebraska | $35,290 |
Nevada | $40,520 |
New Hampshire | $41,540 |
New Jersey | $56,780 |
New Mexico | $32,160 |
New York | $54,730 |
North Carolina | $42,200 |
North Dakota | $33,900 |
Ohio | $40,480 |
Oklahoma | $31,770 |
Oregon | $42,660 |
Pennsylvania | $36,300 |
Rhode Island | $46,660 |
South Carolina | $37,910 |
South Dakota | $30,490 |
Tennessee | $37,720 |
Texas | $34,690 |
Utah | $30,750 |
Vermont | $46,360 |
Virginia | $46,700 |
Washington | $44,750 |
West Virginia | $32,640 |
Wisconsin | $35,460 |
Wyoming | $30,840 |
What Tools & Technology do Dispensing Opticians Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Dispensing Opticians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Point of sale POS software
- First Insight MaximEyes
- HealthLine Systems Eyecom
- Insight Software My Vision Express
- OfficeMate Software Solutions OfficeMate
How to Become a Dispensing Optician
Are there Dispensing Opticians education requirements?

What work experience do I need to become a Dispensing Optician?

Who Employs Dispensing Opticians?

Dispensing Opticians work in the following industries:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Are you already one of the many Dispensing Optician in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Robert Barnett via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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