What Is an Optician?
An optician is trained in helping people correct their vision by dispensing lenses for glasses and contacts. Opticians use various devices to help determine the type of correction a person's vision needs, and then assists the customer in fitting them for their glasses, or instructs the customer on how to use contact lenses. They can work at independent practices, hospitals, eye-care centers, or even in retail environments.
There are different requirements for opticians by state, as some will require that you become licensed. In some areas you can start as an apprentice with no official training, whereas in other areas you will have to complete an approved one- or two-year program. The Opticians Association of America website (oaa.org) has more information on different requirements by state.
The average salary for an optician is $38,000 per year. Opticians can also train to become dispensing opticians or optician technicians.

