Occupations/29-2081.00
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.
Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.
AI automation risk
52%
Mixed exposure
Human characteristics
62%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
66%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
- Mostly routine
Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
- Mostly human
Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
Split from the wording of these tasks, shown next to the occupation’s AI risk. It is not a separate score for each task, and it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
- 02Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
- 03Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
- 04Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
- 05Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
- 06Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.88
- Degree of automation2.29
- Time sitting3.17
- Originality (ability)2.88
- Conflict situations3.00
- Hands-on objects/tools3.62
- Outdoors / weather1.12
- Disease exposure2.65
- Decision freedom4.42
Top abilities
- Oral Expression4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Near Vision3.88
- Written Comprehension3.75
- Speech Recognition3.75
- Speech Clarity3.75
- Written Expression3.62
- Problem Sensitivity3.62
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension3.75
- Active Listening3.88
- Writing3.25
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics2.88
- Science1.75
- Critical Thinking3.50
- Active Learning3.00
- Learning Strategies2.62
- Monitoring3.00
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 15 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miami Dade College Miami, FL · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $2,900 | 100% | 41% | 1 yr $33,993 2 yr — Associate · CIP 51.18 |
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $6,200 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Ridgewater College Willmar, MN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $6,100 | 100% | 36% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $6,000 | 100% | 37% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $5,900 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $68,200 | 12% | 92% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Graduate certificate · CIP 51.18 |
University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $13,400 | 68% | 73% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $5,700 | 100% | 35% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Certificate · CIP 51.18 |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Lake Superior College Duluth, MN · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $5,900 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $4,800 | 100% | 25% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Macomb Community College Warren, MI · Public | Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician 51.1801 | $4,200 | 100% | 22% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |