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How to Become a Optician — Salary, Training & Licensing

Combine healthcare precision with retail entrepreneurship — opticians help people see clearly while building a career that's impossible to automate.

88% High Demand
$32K–$60K
Salary Range
High
Demand
+9%
Job Growth
℞ Prescribed by data · BLS · WEF · McKinsey

Optician Apprenticeship & Training in Oregon

Licensing & Requirements
Oregon requires optician licensure through the Oregon Board of Optometry (optician section). Must pass ABO exam and apply for state license. Apprenticeship or accredited program required. NCLE for contact lens dispensing. CE required for renewal.
Training Programs
Oregon apprenticeship programs (2 years under licensed optician), ABO certification prep courses, manufacturer training (EssilorLuxottica, Zeiss), LensCrafters/Pearle Vision training, Portland Community College courses, online opticianry education.
Average Salary
$31K–$38K (apprentice); $42K–$56K (licensed optician); $56K–$76K+ (optical manager/practice owner)
Top Employers
LensCrafters, Costco Optical, Pearle Vision, Warby Parker, Pacific University Eye Clinics, local independent optical shops, private optometry practices, Casey Eye Institute (OHSU).

Career Overview

Is this career right for you?

✓You have good attention to detail and precision with measurements
✓You enjoy working directly with people and providing personalized service
✓You're interested in healthcare but want a faster path than nursing or medical school
✓You have an eye for style and fashion — frame selection is part art, part science
✓You're comfortable with light math (measurements, calculations, prescriptions)
✓You want a clean, comfortable, professional work environment

Your Roadmap

1

Explore the FieldAges 16–18

  • Get a part-time job at an optical shop, LensCrafters, or Pearle Vision
  • Learn about different types of lenses: single vision, bifocal, progressive, specialty
  • Study basic anatomy of the eye and how prescriptions work
  • Practice measuring and fitting skills with frame adjustments
  • Take math and science courses — precision measurement is core to the job
  • Research your state's licensing requirements (varies significantly by state)
2

Get Formal TrainingAges 18–20

  • Option 1: Complete an ABO-accredited opticianry program (1–2 years, community college)
  • Option 2: Enter a state-approved apprenticeship program (2–3 years on the job)
  • Programs cost $3,000–$15,000 for formal education, apprenticeships are paid
  • Study ophthalmic optics: lens types, materials, coatings, and treatments
  • Learn facial measurements: pupillary distance, segment height, vertex distance, pantoscopic tilt
  • Master frame fitting, adjustment, and repair techniques
3

Earn Your CertificationsAges 20–21

  • Pass the ABO (American Board of Opticianry) certification exam
  • Pass the NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners) certification if your state requires it
  • Obtain your state license (23 states require licensure for opticians)
  • Learn contact lens fitting: soft, rigid gas permeable, specialty/scleral
  • Study insurance billing, optical lab processes, and lens ordering systems
  • Get trained on digital measuring devices (Visioffice, Zeiss i.Terminal)
4

Build Your ExpertiseAges 21–23

  • Work as a licensed optician — starting at $18–$24/hour depending on market
  • Specialize in progressive lens fitting (most common and most profitable)
  • Learn specialty areas: sports vision, low vision, pediatric eyewear, safety eyewear
  • Master insurance navigation: VSP, EyeMed, Davis Vision, Spectera, Medicaid
  • Develop sales skills — opticians often earn commission on premium products
  • Build expertise in high-end frame brands and lens technologies
5

Advance to LeadershipAges 23–26

  • Become an optical manager or lead optician ($50K–$65K + bonuses)
  • Manage inventory, staff scheduling, vendor relationships, and P&L for the optical department
  • Consider Advanced ABO certification (ABOC) for higher credibility and pay
  • Become a contact lens specialist with NCLE-AC advanced certification
  • Train and mentor new opticians — teaching builds your own expertise
  • Network with ophthalmologists and optometrists for referral relationships
6

Own Your PracticeAges 26+

  • Open your own optical dispensary (independent practice)
  • Partner with an optometrist for a combined eye care practice
  • Franchise options: Pearle Vision, MyEyeDr, or LensCrafters
  • Independent optical shops have strong margins on premium lenses and designer frames
  • Add online presence for contact lens reorders and accessory sales
  • Successful optical shop owners earn $90K–$200K+ annually

Optical & Vision Care Employers

LensCrafters / EssilorLuxottica
World's largest eyewear company — structured optician training programs, tuition assistance, and clear career paths.
Pearle Vision
Franchise and corporate locations with mentorship programs and potential franchise ownership opportunities.
Warby Parker
Modern optical retail with competitive pay, stock options, and a focus on customer experience and design.
Costco Optical
Top-paying optical positions — licensed opticians earn $24–$35/hour with Costco's industry-leading benefits.
MyEyeDr
Fast-growing eye care network with 800+ locations — optician training programs with advancement to multi-location management.

Costco optical positions are among the highest-paying in the industry. LensCrafters and Pearle Vision (both EssilorLuxottica) offer excellent training programs and the path to franchise ownership.

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Salary Breakdown

Optical Trainee / Apprentice$30K–$38KYears 0–2
Licensed Optician$40K–$55KYears 2–4
Lead Optician / Optical Manager$55K–$75KYears 4–7
Optical Practice Owner / Multi-Location Manager$80K–$150K+Years 7+

vs. College

While a classmate spends $100K on a biology degree hoping to get into optometry school, you complete a 1–2 year opticianry program for $3K–$15K and start earning $40K–$55K as a licensed optician. By the time they finish their $200K+ optometry doctorate, you're managing your own optical practice and earning $75K+ — with a fraction of the debt and years of clinical experience under your belt.

The Real Talk

The Good

  • Clean, comfortable, professional work environment — no heavy lifting or outdoor exposure
  • Helping people see clearly is genuinely rewarding and life-changing work
  • Fashion + healthcare hybrid — you help people look AND see their best
  • Multiple paths: retail, medical, specialty, management, or ownership
  • Short training timeline — licensed and earning in 1–2 years
  • Growing demand as the population ages and screen time increases vision problems

The Hard Parts

  • Starting pay is modest compared to some other healthcare careers
  • Licensing requirements vary wildly by state — some states don't license at all
  • Retail hours including weekends and evenings are common
  • Insurance billing and prior authorizations can be frustrating
  • Online eyewear retailers create some pricing pressure (though fitting remains in-person)

Is It Worth It?

Opticianry is a hidden gem in healthcare careers. The training is short (1–2 years), the work environment is clean and professional, and the demand is growing as America's population ages and screen time drives more vision correction needs. Licensed opticians who specialize in progressive lenses, contact lenses, or specialty eyewear command premium salaries, and optical practice ownership is one of the more accessible healthcare business opportunities. AI can't measure a face, adjust a frame, or reassure a nervous first-time progressive lens wearer — this is hands-on, relationship-driven healthcare at its best.

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