Dispensing opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also help customers decide which eyeglass frames or contact lenses to buy.

About half of opticians worked in offices of optometrists or offices of physicians in 2014. Other opticians worked in stores that sell eyeglasses, contact lenses, visual aids, and other optical goods. These stores may be stand-alone businesses or parts of larger retail establishments, such as department stores.

Opticians typically have a high school diploma or equivalent and some form of on-the-job training. Some opticians enter the occupation with an associate's degree or a certificate from a community college or technical school. About half of the states require opticians to be licensed.

The median annual wage for dispensing opticians was $34,840 in May 2015.

Employment of opticians is projected to grow 24 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and increasing rates of chronic disease are expected to lead to greater demand for corrective eyewear.

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dispensing opticians.

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dispensing opticians with similar occupations.

Learn more about dispensing opticians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.