Optician

Duties and Responsibilities: Opticians fit dispense eyeglasses for patients based upon prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Opticians help the customers select eyeglasses frames and then measure their faces so that correct size frames can be ordered. They also measure the distance between the corners of the eyes so that the lenses may be correctly fitted in the frames. Some opticians specialize in the fitting of contact lens and also in fitting artificial eyes. Opticians may own their own retail store or work for an optical store. Some also work for optometrists and ophthalmologists who sell glasses.

Salary: $19,000 - $40,000

Educational Requirements: Students should take high school courses in physics, algebra, mechanical drawing, and geometry. A high school diploma or GED certificate is needed to begin training as an optician. There are two types of training programs. Students can either complete an approved two-year course at an school of opticianry, or they can complete an approved three year on-the-job apprenticeship