Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician
A program that prepares individuals to adapt and fit corrective eyewear, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, as prescribed by ophthalmologists or optometrists; to assist patients in selecting appropriate frames; and to prepare work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians. Includes instruction in geometrical optics, ophthalmic optics, anatomy of the eye, optical instrumentation, use and maintenance of adjustment and cleaning tools, prescription interpretation, contact lens adaptation and fitting, prosthesis fitting, facial and eye measuring, pathology identification, record-keeping, and patient and business administrative tasks.
- Schools offering
- 24
- Annual completions
- 250
- Typical degree level
- Associate's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $52k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to adapt and fit corrective eyewear, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, as prescribed by ophthalmologists or optometrists; to assist patients in selecting appropriate frames; and to prepare work orders for ophthalmic laboratory technicians. Includes instruction in geometrical optics, ophthalmic optics, anatomy of the eye, optical instrumentation, use and maintenance of adjustment and cleaning tools, prescription interpretation, contact lens adaptation and fitting, prosthesis fitting, facial and eye measuring, pathology identification, record-keeping, and patient and business administrative tasks.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opticians, dispensing | $47k | +2.9% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$52k
Top colleges for Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough College | Tampa, FL | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| Connecticut State Community College | New Britain, CT | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| Miami Dade College | Miami, FL | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| Essex County College | Newark, NJ | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg, NJ | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology | Brooklyn, NY | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Broward College | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | Boston, MA | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| College of Southern Nevada | Las Vegas, NV | 12 | 0 | 12 |
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