Should I be an optician?

Wanna know about a stable career that's connected to more than half of the people on the planet?

A lot of people need vision correction, so a career as an optician might be a good one for your future!

• Work in a retail sales environment or in an eye doctor's office

• Follow doctors’ prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses

• Use measuring devices to measure client specifications

• Help customers select frames that look good and work well

• Instruct customers on how to insert, remove, clean, and store contact lenses

• Adjust the fit of new glasses and repair damaged glasses

• Keep records of prescriptions, payments, orders, and inventory

• Do simple bookkeeping

• Sell related items like lens cleaners and wipes

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum high school education

AND

• 1 to 2 years of on-the-job training.

Usual Qualifications

• Post-secondary certificate

OR

• 2-year Associate’s Degree

❗❗ Licensing and/or certification are required by most states and all provinces.

💖 are patient and enjoy working with and helping people

📣 are a good communicator

🤑 have an entrepreneurial attitude

🎓 embrace continuous education and life-long learning

🖐 have good manual dexterity

🛒 have a background in retail sales

But NOT if you...

• Are looking to make a lot of money to start

• Don't like being indoors all-day

• Dislike serving others

Salaries are comparatively lower than other healthcare professions but there is potential for higher earnings as you gain more experience.

Average Salary in Canada:

C$ 47,500 per year

ranging from C$ 12.00 to 40.00 per hour (depending on experience and province.)

Average Salary in the US:

US$ 38,530 per year

ranging from US$ 12.00 - 29.00 per hour (depending on experience and state)

What bodes well for the industry?

• More than half of Americans and Canadians wear some type of corrective lenses

• Both the US and Canada have rapidly aging populations

• Both Canadian and US labor authorities project an increasing and steady need for opticians

AND...

If you're a true entrepreneur and dream of owning your own business, eyeglasses are needed everywhere, so selling them is a good, stable business.

What are possible industry disruptions?

• An increase in online retailers could result in fewer direct sales jobs

• Inexpensive corrective surgery (like LASIK and implants) could result in less need for eyeglasses

Which of these two people you would recommend to become an optician?

Gina is graduating high school soon. She worked at a clothing store in the local mall for the last 2 years. She loves helping people and her manager has given her increasing responsibilities at the store. She wants to get an associate's degree but isn't sure what to study.

Donald has a bachelor's degree in business. He wants to start a business and make a 6 figure salary before his 30th birthday. He's good with numbers and has an entrepreneurial spirit. He doesn't really like school and wants to start work right away.

So you think you'd like to become an optician? What next...