by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician explores 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. Read on to learn the important information every opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician programs.
Across the country, opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician is a widely-pursued major, with 352 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician Schools ranking analyzes these 25 schools to determine the best overall colleges for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Opticianry/Ophthalmic Dispensing Optician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 70 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 224 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 58 |
People currently working in careers related to opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 45.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 25% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 25% |
| Some college courses | 4.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Opticians, Dispensing | 1,161,806 | 1.8% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,118 |
| 4 years | $36,016 |
| 5 years | $38,680 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Opticians, Dispensing | $127,783 |
With 25 different opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in opticianry/ophthalmic dispensing optician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Optometric Technician/Assistant | 201 |
| Ophthalmic Technician/Technologist | 148 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions, Other | 40 |
| Orthoptics/Orthoptist | 1 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
