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:
Apprentice or Licensed Optician Salaries by Percentile
| 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 |
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.
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:
| 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 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 25.11% |
| Work Ethic | 2.26% |
| Medical Billing | 1.45% |
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.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Word Processing | $81,157 | |
| Spreadsheet Software | $73,592 | |
| Problem Solving | $73,592 |
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).
| 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% |
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.
| 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 |
Salaries for an Apprentice or Licensed Optician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,399 in 2023 to around $55,020 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Apprentice or Licensed Optician salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $55,399 |
| 2024 | $55,653 |
| 2025 | $55,020 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Apprentice or Licensed Optician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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