Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Opticians, dispensing, support eye care by helping people obtain and use corrective lenses and related products. Nationally, this occupation employs about 80,000 people, with a projected employment growth of 2.9%. There are about 7,000 openings each year, suggesting ongoing demand from both new positions and turnover. The national median annual salary is $46,560, with higher pay available in certain states and metro areas. People drawn to this field often combine strong customer service and interpersonal skills with attention to detail and fine motor abilities. The role also benefits from comfort with basic mathematics, science, and computers and information technology. Leadership, project management, speaking and listening, and adaptability are additional strengths for advancing in this path. With a typical entry point of a high school diploma or equivalent, this career can appeal to those seeking to enter the health-related workforce without a lengthy formal education, while still offering room for growth in different regions and work settings.
The national median annual salary for opticians, dispensing, is $46,560. Pay varies meaningfully by location, with several states and metro areas offering higher median wages. Among states, Massachusetts shows a median salary of $67,210, New York $63,880, and California $57,990. Colorado and Washington are closer to the national level, at $47,310 and $49,220 respectively. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area reports a median of $71,050, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton comes in at $64,170. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara has a median of $60,480, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont is $58,360 and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria is $59,520. These figures indicate that earning potential can be significantly higher in certain metros and states, so job seekers may want to consider geographic differences when planning their careers and salary goals.
Opticians, dispensing, have national employment of about 80,000, with projected employment growth of 2.9%. This same 2.9% growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, suggesting a consistent growth pattern in different regions. With approximately 7,000 annual openings, there are recurring opportunities for new entrants as well as for experienced workers changing jobs. The combination of existing employment size and projected growth means that this occupation provides a steady flow of positions rather than short-term spikes. Job seekers can expect ongoing hiring needs in various parts of the country, including states such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington and major metro areas like New York–Newark–Jersey City, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton. For those interested in a health-related role with stable demand, the employment outlook is generally positive.
Location makes a clear difference for opticians, dispensing, both in terms of pay and concentration of opportunities. Among states, California stands out with 7,840 employed and a median salary of $57,990, paired with a CareerGPS opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York offer higher median salaries—$67,210 and $63,880 respectively—with opportunity scores around 66, though with smaller total employment than California. Colorado and Washington have more moderate median salaries near $47,310 and $49,220 and opportunity scores in the mid‑50s. At the metro level, the New York–Newark–Jersey City area combines a high median salary of $71,050 with an opportunity score of 77.27. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara has a similar opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $60,480. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton all offer median salaries near or above $58,000 and opportunity scores in the mid‑60s, making them notable choices for location‑focused job seekers.
The typical education for opticians, dispensing, is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who want to enter a health-related occupation without completing a college degree. However, success in this career depends strongly on a specific mix of skills. Customer service and interpersonal abilities are central for working effectively with clients. Mathematics and science support the more technical aspects of the work, while computers and information technology skills are important for modern workplace tools and systems. Fine motor skills matter for precise, hands-on tasks. Speaking and listening skills help with clear communication, and adaptability supports working with different people and changing situations. Project management and leadership can become increasingly important for those who coordinate workflows or aspire to supervisory roles. Focusing on building this combination of skills can make candidates more competitive and effective in the role.
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