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Did you know?

#1
GREAT NEWS!

According to Business Insider, in a survey conducted by PayScale about job satisfaction, opticianry was the ONLY career that earned a 100% rating in response to the question, “Would you recommend your job to a close friend?”

Country Life

Not everybody wants to work in a metropolitan area. In fact, most of us don’t. If you’re looking to further your career in a more rural setting, here are the five best-paying non-metro areas for opticians, according to bls.gov.

➔ Western New Hampshire

➔ Low Country South Carolina

➔ Southwestern Virginia

➔ Northwest Massachusetts

➔ Southwest New York State

SAMPLE SALARIES

Here are a few examples of how much more you can earn as a licensed optician than a dispensing optician.

Path To…

Depending on your state and/or employer, you may take one of several paths to grow your career in opticianry.

➔ OJT: Many opticians learn on-the-job. Many who begin this way move through an APPRENTICESHIP, which generally takes a minimum of two years of job experience.

➔ FORMAL EDUCATION: There are currently 21 post-secondary education programs in 14 different states that offer either one-year CERTIFICATION or a two-year ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE.

➔ OCPP: Whether you’re working toward certification or licensing, The National Academy of Opticianry (NAO) offers individuals in the field an Ophthalmic Career Progression Program.

➔ LICENSURE: Nearly half the states require opticians to be licensed. Requirements vary, but usually require some formal education. For info, check with the licensing board in your own state.

➔ CERTIFICATION: Certification is available through the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) for dispensing eyeglasses and through the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) for dispensing contacts. Though most states use the ABO and NCLE exams in their licensing programs, some require resident opticians to pass exams specific to that state.