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Opticians, Dispensing (29-2081) in Eastern Workforce Development Area
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Eastern WDA (1Q 2023)
All Industry
Estimated employment40
Mean wage$30.53
Entry wage$17.79
10th percentile wage$16.03
50th percentile wage$31.33
90th percentile wage$43.82
 Top Employing Industries
 IndustryEmployment / Percent
Trade, Transportation,, and Utilities3062.4%
Education and Health Services2035.3%
 Top Paying Industries
 IndustryEmployment / Median Wage
Trade, Transportation,, and Utilities30$32.88
Education and Health Services20$31.15
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  $31.33 $40.76 -$9.43
2022$30.17+3.8%$39.25+3.8%-$9.08
2021$28.83+4.7%$37.50+4.7%-$8.67
2020$28.07+2.7%$36.53+2.7%-$8.45
2019$27.51+2.1%$35.78+2.1%-$8.27
2018$26.87+2.3%$34.96+2.3%-$8.08
2017$26.30+2.2%$34.22+2.2%-$7.91
2016$25.76+2.1%$33.51+2.1%-$7.75
2015$25.27+1.9%$32.87+1.9%-$7.60
2014$24.76+2.1%$32.21+2.1%-$7.45
YearThis OccupationCompared to All OccupationsDifference
Current  $31.33 $25.89 $5.44
2022$30.17+3.8%$25.03+3.4%$5.14
2021$28.83+4.7%$23.68+5.7%$5.15
2020$28.07+2.7%$22.87+3.5%$5.20
2019$27.51+2.1%$22.22+2.9%$5.28
2018$26.87+2.3%$21.57+3.0%$5.30
2017$26.30+2.2%$20.96+2.9%$5.35
2016$25.76+2.1%$20.47+2.4%$5.29
2015$25.27+1.9%$19.95+2.6%$5.32
2014$24.76+2.1%$19.53+2.2%$5.23
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
Southwest $38.07  100  
North Central $36.51  150  
Northwest $35.05  100  
South Central $31.90  100  
Highest Employment
Median Wage / Employment
North Central $36.51  150  
Southwest $38.07  100  
South Central $31.90  100  
Northwest $35.05  100  
Wages in other areas
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