Apprentice salary?!?!

[DRAINGE1]

Does anyone know what the avg. pay is for an Apprentice Optician? I have 3+ years experience, and manage an optical.

I am in the market for a new company, but from what i've been hearing at recent interviews, i can't live off the pay!
I don't know if i have started off very well, or if i'm just not looking at the right locations! I thought the larger company's would pay the best, but i'm not sure.

If anyone has any insight, please let me know! Thanks

[hcjilson]

3+ years as an apprentice qualifies as enough time to become licensed in most states. (Pending passing ABO and Practical exams) That's over 6000 hours of apprenticeship, and as an employer I would want to know why you haven't done this. Why are you still an apprentice?

[DRAINGE1]

Good question!
Since my boss never offered it to me, i never knew i could be an apprentice. It took about 6 months for me to find out on my own, and the the rest of the time was the paperwork process!
So i have been here 3 years, but only can record with the state the last 2 years. I have about 4600 hours now.

Also, does anyone know if it is possible to "backdate" the starting date?

[K B MANNA]

pay scale

I find that it depends what State you live in.

[icyou]

Good question!
Since my boss never offered it to me, i never knew i could be an apprentice. It took about 6 months for me to find out on my own, and the the rest of the time was the paperwork process!
So i have been here 3 years, but only can record with the state the last 2 years. I have about 4600 hours now.

Also, does anyone know if it is possible to "backdate" the starting date?

In Fl. you can't "backdate". Your apprenticeship starts the day the Board recieves your application and check. The big Corps do not pay their app. or techs very well. Most are really only order takers. They usually don't understand optics or rx's. On the other hand corp. pay for lic. is usually pretty good. So you may want to stick it out until you sit for your Boards.

[Cindy Hamlin]

I thought this a better discussion for the educ/professional forum and not the job board which if for posting employment opportunities and resumes.

[DRAINGE1]

Sorry, new here. Thought this would get the most action!

[hcjilson]

Not to worry, Most of us found it again! If you want to get action, just post it as a question in General Discussion- Something like this///Why are apprenticeship wages so low?......
On the other hand if you want to get the question answered, or help to solve the problem, this is a better forum.

[hcjilson]

Now, back to the problem........

Most regulated states have formal apprenticeship programs usually administered by the Department of Labor and Industy (State agency, your's may have a different name) The apprentice registers with L&I and apprenticeship begins on that date. L&I contacts the employer who outlines what training is going to be given and an outline of wages in 6 month increments leading up to the point at which you qualify for licensure. In theory you start at the bottom and are given step increases to bring your wage to th journeyman's level at the end of three years.Most states use 6000 hours as the benchmark, done in 3 years.

If and that's a BIG IF, your employer will sign a notarized statement documenting that your apprenticeship began, and you have pay stubs, or some other record to prove it, you may apply to the board of registration in your state to be given credit for the 6 months you were not registered as an apprentice. The board has the discretionary power to allow this time however some, (speaking for MA) are extremely strict) about doing this.

Hope this answers your questions.