An Optician's salary isn't a fixed number.
It's shaped by several important factors.
Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
How Experience Level Affects Optician Salaries?
Experience is a primary driver of an Optician's salary.
As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases.
Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $66,084
Early Career (1-2 years): $66,325
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,043
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,770
Expert (over 8 years): $70,894
Levels
Salary
Entry Level Optician
$66,084
Intermediate Level Optician
$66,325
Senior Level Optician
$69,043
Specialist Level Optician
$70,770
Expert Level Optician
$70,894
$66,0840 yr
$66,325< 2 yrs
$69,0432-4 yrs
$70,7705-8 yrs
$70,894> 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph
What Am I Worth?
How Do Optician Salaries Vary from State to State?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work.
States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors
often pay more to attract Opticians.
For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities.
Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay.
Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
San Jose: $86,695
San Francisco: $85,746
Oakland: $83,939
San Jose, CA$86,695
San Francisco, CA$85,746
Oakland, CA$83,939
New York, NY$79,141
Paramus, NJ$78,179
Queens Village, NY$78,175
Passaic, NJ$78,110
Bergenfield, NJ$78,104
Stamford, CT$77,952
Huntington, NY$77,924
Newark, NJ$77,416
Bridgeport, CT$77,271
Vallejo, CA$77,134
New Brunswick, NJ$77,107
Petaluma, CA$77,066
Middlesex, NJ$76,935
Somerset, NJ$76,887
Santa Cruz, CA$76,798
Boston, MA$76,378
Monterey, CA$76,137
Seattle, WA$75,980
Santa Rosa, CA$75,966
Los Angeles, CA$75,945
Juneau, AK$75,767
Washington, DC$75,691
Orange, CA$75,446
Santa Ana, CA$75,265
Long Beach, CA$75,196
Anaheim, CA$75,182
Anchorage, AK$75,148
Santa Maria, CA$74,942
Everett, WA$74,928
Danbury, CT$74,686
Bremerton, WA$74,591
Tacoma, WA$74,344
New Suffolk, NY$74,342
Sacramento, CA$74,323
Santa Barbara, CA$74,248
Trenton, NJ$74,172
San Diego, CA$74,172
Brockton, MA$74,096
Fairbanks, AK$73,928
Lompoc, CA$73,753
Lowell, MA$73,697
Ventura, CA$73,684
Nashua, NH$73,670
Stockton, CA$73,663
Modesto, CA$73,162
Poughkeepsie, NY$73,010
Olympia, WA$72,880
Kennewick, WA$72,880
New Haven, CT$72,852
Lawrence, MA$72,605
Hartford, CT$72,536
Riverside, CA$72,522
New Bedford, MA$72,454
Richland, WA$72,454
Bakersfield, CA$72,357
San Bernardino, CA$72,330
New Britain, CT$72,323
Atlantic City, NJ$72,323
New London, CT$72,295
Norwich, CT$72,275
Portsmouth, NH$72,261
Boulder, CO$72,115
Portland, OR$72,021
Worcester, MA$72,014
Minneapolis, MN$71,801
Philadelphia, PA$71,704
Honolulu, HI$71,478
Saint Paul, MN$71,445
Vineland, NJ$71,429
Providence, RI$71,230
Chicago, IL$71,031
Bellingham, WA$70,948
Springfield, MA$70,893
Baltimore, MD$70,873
Chico, CA$70,701
Pittsfield, MA$70,515
Manchester, NH$70,385
Spokane, WA$70,082
Denver, CO$70,075
Albany, NY$69,752
Troy, NY$69,725
Nassau, NY$69,651
Schenectady, NY$69,580
Wilmington, DE$69,525
Burlington, VT$69,429
Salem, OR$69,402
Portland, ME$69,189
Yakima, WA$69,120
Rochester, MN$68,907
Reno, NV$68,872
Fresno, CA$68,872
Milwaukee, WI$68,811
Detroit, MI$68,742
Ann Arbor, MI$68,730
Allentown, PA$68,721
Colorado Springs, CO$68,604
Syracuse, NY$68,570
Carson City, NV$68,570
Houston, TX$68,474
Eugene, OR$68,439
Gary, IN$68,357
Springfield, OR$68,302
Bismarck, ND$68,288
Galveston, TX$68,240
Medford, OR$68,137
Fort Collins, CO$68,110
Concord, NH$68,075
Austin, TX$68,055
Mesa, AZ$67,910
Reading, PA$67,903
Phoenix, AZ$67,896
Dallas, TX$67,876
Saint Cloud, MN$67,810
Madison, WI$67,718
Utica, NY$67,532
Rochester, NY$67,422
Des Moines, IA$67,415
Raleigh, NC$67,408
Atlanta, GA$67,305
Battle Creek, MI$67,285
Salt Lake City, UT$67,264
Lancaster, PA$67,161
Harrisburg, PA$67,065
Kansas City, MO$66,996
Champaign, IL$66,982
Kansas City, KS$66,982
Fort Worth, TX$66,975
Columbus, OH$66,964
Boca Raton, FL$66,948
Pittsburgh, PA$66,920
Richmond, VA$66,893
Indianapolis, IN$66,879
Cleveland, OH$66,872
Las Vegas, NV$66,790
Cincinnati, OH$66,790
Petersburg, VA$66,687
Huntsville, AL$66,584
Lansing, MI$66,538
Lebanon, PA$66,529
Pueblo, CO$66,522
Appleton, WI$66,501
Buffalo, NY$66,474
Dayton, OH$66,453
Racine, WI$66,439
Charlotte, NC$66,432
Saint Louis, MO$66,412
York, PA$66,371
Elkhart, IN$66,371
Gastonia, NC$66,357
Billings, MT$66,341
Beaumont, TX$66,322
Lorain, OH$66,309
Benton Harbor, MI$66,295
Toledo, OH$66,281
Binghamton, NY$66,247
Rock Hill, SC$66,240
Rockford, IL$66,206
Springfield, IL$66,178
Elyria, OH$66,171
Fargo, ND$66,171
Flagstaff, AZ$66,123
Fort Lauderdale, FL$66,082
Duluth, MN$66,041
Miami, FL$66,041
Cheyenne, WY$65,992
Grand Forks, ND$65,992
Bangor, ME$65,841
Cedar Rapids, IA$65,766
Durham, NC$65,737
Louisville, KY$65,731
Grand Rapids, MI$65,718
Hialeah, FL$65,711
Casper, WY$65,614
Scranton, PA$65,532
New Orleans, LA$65,511
Virginia Beach, VA$65,504
Akron, OH$65,470
Peoria, IL$65,381
Sarasota, FL$65,367
Nashville, TN$65,319
Omaha, NE$65,319
Green Bay, WI$65,319
Baton Rouge, LA$65,285
Charleston, SC$65,271
Jamestown, NY$65,236
Davenport, IA$65,236
Tucson, AZ$65,202
Saint Petersburg, FL$65,161
Tampa, FL$65,147
Evansville, IN$65,106
Port Arthur, TX$65,106
Bradenton, FL$65,078
Santa Fe, NM$64,955
Orlando, FL$64,831
Clearwater, FL$64,810
Canton, OH$64,666
La Crosse, WI$64,666
Albuquerque, NM$64,625
Newport News, VA$64,618
High Point, NC$64,597
Ogden, UT$64,570
Corpus Christi, TX$64,515
Norfolk, VA$64,473
Laramie, WY$64,473
Rock Island, IL$64,432
Saginaw, MI$64,418
Jacksonville, FL$64,412
Salisbury, NC$64,398
Boise, ID$64,384
Moline, IL$64,350
Fort Myers, FL$64,329
Memphis, TN$64,315
Tulsa, OK$64,281
Waterloo, IA$64,240
Spartanburg, SC$64,171
Lincoln, NE$64,137
Fort Wayne, IN$64,123
Provo, UT$64,116
Cedar Falls, IA$64,034
San Antonio, TX$64,006
Greensboro, NC$63,979
South Bend, IN$63,972
Savannah, GA$63,896
Muskegon, MI$63,869
Birmingham, AL$63,862
Winston Salem, NC$63,828
Lake Charles, LA$63,662
Anderson, IN$63,649
Lexington, KY$63,628
Augusta, GA$63,607
Greenville, SC$63,607
Lima, OH$63,552
Wichita, KS$63,546
Tuscaloosa, AL$63,546
Columbia, SC$63,484
Springfield, OH$63,470
Asheville, NC$63,360
Bloomington, IN$63,312
Knoxville, TN$63,064
Shreveport, LA$63,057
Wilmington, NC$62,968
Roanoke, VA$62,968
Topeka, KS$62,844
Frankfort, KY$62,837
Oklahoma City, OK$62,789
Chillicothe, OH$62,762
Longview, TX$62,755
Melbourne, FL$62,748
Sioux Falls, SD$62,638
Mobile, AL$62,631
Terre Haute, IN$62,604
Altoona, PA$62,563
Amarillo, TX$62,514
Killeen, TX$62,494
Fayetteville, AR$62,439
Chattanooga, TN$62,418
Sioux City, IA$62,356
Idaho Falls, ID$62,343
Lynchburg, VA$62,288
Gainesville, FL$62,198
Portsmouth, OH$62,164
Little Rock, AR$62,150
Lafayette, LA$62,123
Youngstown, OH$62,123
Daytona Beach, FL$62,081
Clarksville, TN$62,075
Pensacola, FL$62,068
Temple, TX$62,063
Hopkinsville, KY$61,862
Erie, PA$61,848
Florence, SC$61,820
Charleston, WV$61,710
Great Falls, MT$61,676
Macon, GA$61,580
Tallahassee, FL$61,573
Fayetteville, NC$61,559
Waco, TX$61,545
Helena, MT$61,497
Pine Bluff, AR$61,471
Vincennes, IN$61,387
Lubbock, TX$61,360
Alamogordo, NM$61,318
Twin Falls, ID$61,257
Rapid City, SD$61,236
Jackson, MS$61,112
Huntington, WV$61,107
Greenville, MS$61,105
Parkersburg, WV$61,035
Montgomery, AL$61,023
Wichita Falls, TX$60,954
Springfield, MO$60,954
Biloxi, MS$60,920
Monroe, LA$60,851
Johnstown, PA$60,803
Sumter, SC$60,775
Columbus, GA$60,769
Pascagoula, MS$60,638
Abilene, TX$60,638
Kingsport, TN$60,459
Albany, GA$60,459
Gulfport, MS$60,439
Alexandria, LA$60,212
Fort Smith, AR$60,040
El Paso, TX$59,854
Las Cruces, NM$59,545
Harlingen, TX$59,371
Pocatello, ID$59,360
Florence, AL$59,270
Brownsville, TX$59,256
Mcallen, TX$59,112
Dothan, AL$59,016
Columbus, MS$58,608
Altus, OK$58,287
Lawton, OK$58,157
Pierre, SD$57,909
What Skills Can Increase an Optician's Salary?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.11% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Medical Billing (Mentioned in 1.45% Job Postings): Medical billing is a payment practice within the United States health system. The process involves a healthcare provider submitting, following up on, and appealing claims with health insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered; such as testing, treatments, and procedures. The same process is used for most insurance companies, whether they are private companies or government sponsored programs: Medical coding reports what the diagnosis and treatment were, and prices are applied accordingly. Medical billers are encouraged, but not required by law, to become certified by taking an exam such as the CMRS Exam, RHIA Exam, CPB Exam and others. Certification schools are intended to provide a theoretical grounding for students entering the medical billing field. Some community colleges in the United States offer certificates, or even associate degrees, in the field. Those seeking advancement may be cross-trained in medical coding or transcription or auditing, and may earn a bachelor's or graduate degree in medical information science and technology.
See More Skills
Skills
Demand Percentage
Customer Service
25.11%
Work Ethic
2.26%
Medical Billing
1.45%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay.
Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Optician's salary.
Word Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Spreadsheet Software: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill
Salary
Salary % Increase
Word Processing
$81,107
18%
Spreadsheet Software
$73,546
7%
Problem Solving
$73,546
7%
Initiative
$72,859
6%
Organizational Skills
$71,484
4%
Leadership
$71,484
4%
Get Latest Data
Optician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise
Optician salary potential scales significantly with company size.
Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,745.
While startup companies pay approximate $62,602.
Optician Salary by Company Size
Company Size
Employees
Average Salary
Startup
1~50
$62,602
Growth Stage
51~500
$66,145
Established
501~5000
$71,281
Enterprise
5000+
$73,745
Optician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors
For Optician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential
by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries).
Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale,
offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely,
Optician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay,
as this sector often view Optician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
The top paying industries for an Optician
Industry Sector
Average Annual Salary
Average Hourly Rate
Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale
$82,482
$40.0
20%
Healthcare
$72,172
$35.0
5%
How Education impacts an Optician's Salary?
Your level of education can impact your salary potential.
While many Opticians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree,
higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data,
the median salary for an Optician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between
$51,213
and $54,636).
Optician Salaries by Degree Level
Typical Education for Optician
No Diploma1.0%
High School54.1%
Associates23.9%
Bachelors19.4%
Masters1.2%
Doctorate0.3%
view as table
Degree Level
% of user with this level of education
No Diploma
1.0%
High School
54.1%
Associates
23.9%
Bachelors
19.4%
Masters
1.2%
Doctorate
0.3%
view as graph
Optician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay
Understanding how an Optician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting.
Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role.
Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Salaries for an Optician can change over time,
reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy.
The median salary decreased from $55,644 in 2023
to around $55,263 in 2025,
reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy.
For a detailed analysis of Optician salary trends,
.
Average Annual Salary of Optician Over Time
2022
$???
2023
$55,644
2024
$55,899
2025
$55,263
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year
Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023
$55,644
2024
$55,899
2025
$55,263
2026
View More
2027
View More
Most common benefits for Optician
Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation Planning
Common company salaries for Optician
Here are companies hiring for Optician and their salaries, click below for more details.
N
$97,099/per year
New York Police Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$95,962/per year
State of New York - Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$94,615/per year
US Department of Transportation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$93,141/per year
US General Services Administration
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$92,342/per year
Los Angeles County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
D
$92,011/per year
Department of Justice - Federal Bureau of Prisons
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,967/per year
US Department of Commerce
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$91,755/per year
US Department of Energy
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
F
$91,673/per year
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$90,276/per year
Naval Sea Systems Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,975/per year
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$88,721/per year
San Diego County
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
T
$88,664/per year
The TTB
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
L
$87,569/per year
Lutheran Services
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
M
$85,066/per year
Maryland Inc
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$83,780/per year
State University of New York
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$82,969/per year
New York State
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
P
$82,703/per year
Puerto Rico Department of Education
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
U
$80,526/per year
US Central Command
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
H
$80,286/per year
Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$79,270/per year
Air Force Reserve
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
A
$78,505/per year
American Automobile Association (AAA)
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$76,678/per year
State of Florida - Department of Health
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
N
$75,183/per year
New York State Department
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
S
$75,106/per year
State University System of Florida
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
the United States
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FAQ about Optician
1. What industry pays the highest salary for Optician?
The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Optician roles,
with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
2. What are the responsibilities of Optician?
Measures and fits contact lenses and eyeglass frames based on prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Takes precision measurements of eyes using a pupilometer and other devices to ensure proper fit of eyeglasses or contact lenses. Assists and advises customers in selecting frames based on their prescription, lifestyle needs, and style preferences. Inspects lenses for quality, fits and adjusts eyewear, and repairs eyewear as needed. Instructs customer on correct eyeglasses and contact lens care and maintenance. May process work orders and sales. Requires a high school diploma. Requires Applicable License. Requires Licensed Optician. Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
3. What are the skills of Optician
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties.
Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed,
each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
1.)
Customer Service:
Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
2.)
Work Ethic:
A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
3.)
Medical Billing:
Medical billing is a payment practice within the United States health system. The process involves a healthcare provider submitting, following up on, and appealing claims with health insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered; such as testing, treatments, and procedures. The same process is used for most insurance companies, whether they are private companies or government sponsored programs: Medical coding reports what the diagnosis and treatment were, and prices are applied accordingly. Medical billers are encouraged, but not required by law, to become certified by taking an exam such as the CMRS Exam, RHIA Exam, CPB Exam and others. Certification schools are intended to provide a theoretical grounding for students entering the medical billing field. Some community colleges in the United States offer certificates, or even associate degrees, in the field. Those seeking advancement may be cross-trained in medical coding or transcription or auditing, and may earn a bachelor's or graduate degree in medical information science and technology.
Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources.
We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right.
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