How much does a optician make?

In the US, pay can differ with experience, certificates or a state license, and whether an optician works in a store or a doctor's office. Location and full-time, part-time, evening, or weekend hours can matter too.

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's a typical day like?

They read prescriptions, measure customers' eyes and faces, and help choose frames and lenses. Then they send lens instructions to a lab or cut lenses, adjust glasses, and teach contact-lens care.

In the US, finish high school, then learn at work or through an apprenticeship; some take a one- or two-year college course. Check state rules: some require a license and exams, and employers may prefer eyeglass or contact-lens certification.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.

Some US opticians even help fit artificial eyes or special shells that cover an eye's blemishes.