Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salary in the United States

How much does an Apprentice or Licensed Optician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Apprentice or Licensed Optician in the United States is $68,777 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Apprentice or Licensed Optician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,781
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,164 to $72,967
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,231

Key Factors That Influence Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salaries

An Apprentice or Licensed 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 Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Apprentice or Licensed 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): $65,834
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,074
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $68,777
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,502
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,626
Levels Salary
Entry Level Apprentice or Licensed Optician$65,834
Intermediate Level Apprentice or Licensed Optician$66,074
Senior Level Apprentice or Licensed Optician$68,777
Specialist Level Apprentice or Licensed Optician$70,502
Expert Level Apprentice or Licensed Optician$70,626

How Do Apprentice or Licensed 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 Apprentice or Licensed Opticians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,150.
  • California: $75,861.
  • Massachusetts: $74,850.

Top Paying Cities for Apprentice or Licensed Opticians

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: $86,749
  • San Francisco: $85,799
  • Oakland: $83,991

What Skills Can Increase an Apprentice or Licensed 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.
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 Apprentice or Licensed 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 $81,157
18%
Spreadsheet Software $73,592
7%
Problem Solving $73,592
7%

Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Apprentice or Licensed 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, Apprentice or Licensed Optician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Apprentice or Licensed Optician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Apprentice or Licensed Optician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$82,533$40.020%
Healthcare$72,216$35.05%

How Education impacts an Apprentice or Licensed Optician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Apprentice or Licensed 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 Apprentice or Licensed Optician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,213 and $54,636).

Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Apprentice or Licensed Optician
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%

Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Apprentice or Licensed 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.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$61,164
Average $68,777/year
$72,967
$5,097
Average $5,731/month
$6,081
$1,176
Average $1,323/week
$1,403
$29
Average $33/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,967 $6,081 $1,403 $35
Average $68,777 $5,731 $1,323 $33
25th Percentile $61,164 $5,097 $1,176 $29

Most common benefits for Apprentice or Licensed Optician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Apprentice or Licensed Optician

Here are companies hiring for Apprentice or Licensed Optician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Apprentice or Licensed Optician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Apprentice or Licensed Optician?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Apprentice or Licensed Optician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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