Optician
Duties and
Responsibilities:
An optician, or dispensing optician, is a
technical practitioner who designs, fits and dispenses corrective lenses for
the correction of a person's vision. Opticians determine the specifications of
various ophthalmic appliances that will give the necessary
correction to a person's eyesight. Some registered or licensed opticians also design and fit special
appliances to correct cosmetic, traumatic or anatomical defects.
Salary:
Opticians in the
United States take home approximately $14.80 per hour on average. Including
potential bonuses and profit sharing proceeds income bottoms out near $22,000
and hits $49,000 on the high end.
Education:
While there are no specific
educational requirements for an optician, an associate's or bachelor's degree
in opticianry may offer a competitive advantage. Opticianry courses educate
students in the anatomy and physiology of the human eye, optical fundamentals
and refraction. Through clinical training, students also have opportunities to
learn about polishing, hand beveling, heat treatment, tinting and fitting
glasses.
