Opticians, Dispensing
SOC Code: 29-2081 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Opticians, Dispensing. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $44,013 | $54,954 | $65,874 | $76,814 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $52,832 | $60,549 | $68,245 | $75,962 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $50,835 | $59,072 | $67,330 | $75,566 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $40,997 | $52,187 | $63,378 | $74,568 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $48,235 | $56,992 | $65,770 | $74,526 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $50,856 | $58,739 | $66,622 | $74,506 |
| Worcester, MA | $48,235 | $56,846 | $65,458 | $74,069 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $46,218 | $55,494 | $64,792 | $74,069 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $47,154 | $56,098 | $65,062 | $74,006 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $48,714 | $57,096 | $65,499 | $73,882 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Active Listening | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 | |
| Service Orientation | 3.5 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.2 | |
| Writing | 3.2 | |
| Coordination | 3.2 | |
| Persuasion | 3.2 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.9 |
| Sales and Marketing | 4.2 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Production and Processing | 3.8 |
| Administrative | 3.8 |
| English Language | 3.7 |
| Administration and Management | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | 3.4 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 45.8% |
| Some college | 25.0% |
| Associate's degree | 25.0% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 4.2% |
Typical 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.
- Prepare work orders and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses.
- 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.
- Perform administrative duties, such as tracking inventory and sales, submitting patient insurance information, and performing simple bookkeeping.
- Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
- Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and goods related to eyes, in general.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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