U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsDesign, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 62,200 | 2.3 % | $16.73 | $34,800 | 0.8 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $10.13 | $12.52 | $15.84 | $20.17 | $24.41 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $21,070 | $26,040 | $32,940 | $41,960 | $50,780 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 25,790 | 3.88 | $15.50 | $32,250 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 21,100 | 2.14 | $17.56 | $36,520 |
| Offices of Physicians | 7,580 | 0.33 | $17.45 | $36,290 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 3,670 | 0.24 | $17.83 | $37,080 |
| Department Stores | 1,320 | 0.09 | $15.33 | $31,880 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | 25,790 | 3.88 | $15.50 | $32,250 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores | 21,100 | 2.14 | $17.56 | $36,520 |
| Offices of Physicians | 7,580 | 0.33 | $17.45 | $36,290 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 3,670 | 0.24 | $17.83 | $37,080 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 630 | 0.21 | $19.10 | $39,720 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 440 | 0.01 | $20.78 | $43,210 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 580 | 0.10 | $20.64 | $42,940 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 630 | 0.21 | $19.10 | $39,720 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 240 | 0.04 | $18.48 | $38,430 |
| Other General Merchandise Stores | 3,670 | 0.24 | $17.83 | $37,080 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,150 | 0.44 | 0.90 | $17.92 | $37,270 |
| Florida | 4,400 | 0.62 | 1.27 | $17.48 | $36,350 |
| Texas | 4,170 | 0.41 | 0.84 | $13.58 | $28,240 |
| Illinois | 3,990 | 0.72 | 1.48 | $14.98 | $31,150 |
| Ohio | 3,440 | 0.70 | 1.43 | $16.24 | $33,770 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 360 | 1.00 | 2.04 | $13.41 | $27,880 |
| South Dakota | 350 | 0.91 | 1.87 | $13.30 | $27,670 |
| Montana | 330 | 0.78 | 1.60 | $14.71 | $30,590 |
| Illinois | 3,990 | 0.72 | 1.48 | $14.98 | $31,150 |
| Ohio | 3,440 | 0.70 | 1.43 | $16.24 | $33,770 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 1,300 | 0.34 | 0.70 | $24.08 | $50,080 |
| Connecticut | 770 | 0.48 | 0.99 | $23.17 | $48,200 |
| Rhode Island | 120 | 0.27 | 0.56 | $22.92 | $47,680 |
| Massachusetts | 1,540 | 0.50 | 1.01 | $22.92 | $47,670 |
| New York | 2,950 | 0.35 | 0.72 | $21.36 | $44,420 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL Metropolitan Division | 2,670 | 0.75 | 1.54 | $15.79 | $32,830 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 1,680 | 0.44 | 0.90 | $17.36 | $36,120 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 1,510 | 0.66 | 1.35 | $23.32 | $48,500 |
| Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division | 1,410 | 0.71 | 1.44 | $14.15 | $29,440 |
| New York-White Plains-Wayne, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 1,340 | 0.27 | 0.55 | $22.99 | $47,820 |
| Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX | 890 | 0.36 | 0.73 | $12.77 | $26,560 |
| Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall, FL Metropolitan Division | 890 | 0.92 | 1.89 | $15.99 | $33,250 |
| Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division | 870 | 0.63 | 1.29 | $17.74 | $36,900 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 810 | 0.74 | 1.52 | $16.31 | $33,930 |
| Baltimore-Towson, MD | 780 | 0.63 | 1.29 | $14.81 | $30,810 |
