Pay question

[calirider07]

Hey everyone,

I am an Optician in Southern California. I am not certified, but I have been an Optician for about eight years. I have been with my current employer (a private Dr's office) for almost six years. I feel that I am not paid enough!! My sister is a receptionist at an auto garage and makes more than me. I know my job very well and have a huge patient following. We have two Opticians here, but most of the patients prefer to see me. So the question is; realistically, what should I make per hour. I can cut/edge/tint plus I can repair most frames that other Opticians say no to.

[CuriousCat]

I am an Optician in Southern California. I am not certified, but I have been an Optician for about eight years.

This about says it all. Certification is not that difficult to attain, but it is at the very least, an indication to your current and future employer(s) of your committment to your career. Get the certification and then press for what you believe you are worth.

[Fezz]

I believe one of the trade magazes just ran an article about average Opticians wages across the US. It was a very interesting report! I forget which rag had it. Check out:


www.eyecarebusiness.com

www.2020mag.com

[chip anderson]

Actually the best answer, ask for a raise. If denied find another job (before you shoot off your mouth and leave the one you have).
This is the way it is, and the way it has always been. Your boss is not going to give you a raise because someone else in another office makes more. Only if he thinks you are worth more and he can't get someone else to do as good or better for less.

Chip

[calirider07]

I make $12.00/hr does that sound low or about right?

[Jacqui]

Check your PM's

[Fezz]

I make $12.00/hr does that sound low or about right?

That sounds high!

Can I come work for your office?

[Happylady]

I seems very low to me, especially since you can edge. I suggest you check out Craigs List and see what other doctors are paying. If you are happy with where you work you should then go to the doctor and ask for a substantial raise. If he/she isn't willing to pay you what you are worth then it might be time to move on.

I also suggest that you study and get certified. Good luck.

[Jacqui]

That sounds high!

Can I come work for your office?

Nice idea, Fezz. The only problem is the commute. Do you realize how long it would take you to get to work everyday??

[Senorwes1]

I would say that with 8 years exp. and no certification that you should be making between $12 and $15 an hour. I think you're probably on the lower end of the pay scale but not extremely underpaid. If I were you, I would talk to the boss and ask to be given evaluations every 6 months and if he/she thinks you are performing up to par then give you a raise (ex. 25 or 50 cents). That way it wouldn't be like he/she was just giving you a raise, you would be earning it. Then, ask him/her how much of a raise you would get if you became certified. That would definitely be my next step and by having certification, 90% of the time you will be paid substantially more. Good luck!

[Fezz]

Any experience, in my area, is going to squash any job opportunities. For my area, you are considered OVER QUALIFIED!

I have seen, first hand, people with much, much more experience get offers of $9 an hour. I fear that you may be stuck. If your area is like mine....there are no optical jobs. If you push the issue, you are liable to be out of work!

Best of luck to you.

[jediron1]

I would say that with 8 years exp. and no certification that you should be making between $12 and $15 an hour. I think you're probably on the lower end of the pay scale but not extremely underpaid. If I were you, I would talk to the boss and ask to be given evaluations every 6 months and if he/she thinks you are performing up to par then give you a raise (ex. 25 or 50 cents). That way it wouldn't be like he/she was just giving you a raise, you would be earning it. Then, ask him/her how much of a raise you would get if you became certified. That would definitely be my next step and by having certification, 90% of the time you will be paid substantially more. Good luck!

WOW! You are kidding right?

[Fezz]

Nice idea, Fezz. The only problem is the commute. Do you realize how long it would take you to get to work everyday??

You got a point!

You know......I need to lose about 30 pounds-maybe I could jog to the office!!!!

[calirider07]

thanx for all of the info guys and gals!

[Happylady]

My daughter worked as an receptionist at my shop a couple of years ago. She was paid $12.00 an hour.

[Jacqui]

The high school kid makes $12.50

[MarcE]

WOW! You are kidding right?

Different places are different. NY has a licensing requirement and a high cost of living.

If you tripled my salary I would still be worse off in NY.

Just as an example, our office paid $11/sf for the brick downtown bldg. That was the PURCHASE price, not the rent!

[Happylady]

Different places are different.

That is very true. But the orginal poster is in Southern California which I don't think of as a low paying area. But I could be wrong, so that is why he needs to do some research and find out what he should be paid.

[jediron1]

Different places are different. NY has a licensing requirement and a high cost of living.

If you tripled my salary I would still be worse off in NY.

Just as an example, our office paid $11/sf for the brick downtown bldg. That was the PURCHASE price, not the rent!

Maybe! My pay isn't triple maybe double but I think I m doing ok not great but ok. :D