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Opticians, Dispensing (29-2081) in Hartford Labor Market Area
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Hartford LMA (1Q 2023)
All Industry
Estimated employment190
Mean wage$33.51
Entry wage$22.63
10th percentile wage$19.14
50th percentile wage$36.51
90th percentile wage$45.03
 Top Employing Industries
 IndustryEmployment / Percent
Ambulatory Health Care Services11061.7%
General Merchandise Retailers3018.4%
 Top Paying Industries
 IndustryEmployment / Median Wage
General Merchandise Retailers30$36.77
Ambulatory Health Care Services110$32.59
Opticians, Dispensing (29-2081)
Design, 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.
Median Wage History
YearThis OccupationCompared to Occupational GroupDifference
Current  $36.51 $41.73 -$5.22
2022$35.16+3.8%$40.19+3.8%-$5.02
2021$33.59+4.7%$38.40+4.7%-$4.80
2020$32.72+2.7%$37.39+2.7%-$4.67
2019$32.05+2.1%$36.64+2.1%-$4.58
2018$31.32+2.3%$35.80+2.3%-$4.47
2017$30.65+2.2%$35.04+2.2%-$4.38
2016$30.01+2.1%$34.31+2.1%-$4.29
2015$29.45+1.9%$33.65+1.9%-$4.20
2014$28.85+2.1%$32.98+2.1%-$4.12
YearThis OccupationCompared to All OccupationsDifference
Current  $36.51 $26.35 $10.16
2022$35.16+3.8%$25.47+3.4%$9.68
2021$33.59+4.7%$24.10+5.7%$9.49
2020$32.72+2.7%$23.28+3.5%$9.44
2019$32.05+2.1%$22.62+2.9%$9.44
2018$31.32+2.3%$21.96+3.0%$9.36
2017$30.65+2.2%$21.33+2.9%$9.33
2016$30.01+2.1%$20.83+2.4%$9.18
2015$29.45+1.9%$20.30+2.6%$9.14
2014$28.85+2.1%$19.87+2.2%$8.98
Note: The mid-wage is the median wage. The average wage is the mean wage. The entry-level wage is equal to the average of the lower third of reported wages for the occupation. The wage range consists of the 10th and 90th percentiles; 80% of workers earn between this wage range, 10% earn less while 10% earn more.
Reference Date: 1st Quarter 2023
Top Areas For This Occupation
Best Pay
Median Wage / Employment
Bridgeport-Stamford $36.98  120  
Danbury $36.54  20  
Hartford $36.51  190  
Norwich-New London $35.88  30  
Waterbury $35.05  40  
Highest Employment
Median Wage / Employment
Hartford $36.51  190  
Bridgeport-Stamford $36.98  120  
New Haven $31.39  80  
Waterbury $35.05  40  
Norwich-New London $35.88  30  
Wages in other areas
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