Optician's Salary/Hourly Wages?

**AdmiralKnight** · 10-06-2007, 04:45 PM

Heh, well now that this topic has been risen from a 2 year slumber, I've got to ask, are these wages still fairly accurate? If so, it seems like Opticians in the states are grossly under payed. Locally, an Optician averages about $17 to $19 an hour, while those with contacts fair a bit better at around $22-$25/h. There's some wiggle there, obviously, depending on experience etc. Of course, we're not over-populated with licenses either. As of 2000 there were only 173 opticians in NS, 26 of those also having their contacts. Now that number has gone up, but I doubt we've topped 200 yet, there were only 3 in my class four years ago, and one didn't pass the board exams heh.

**gemstone** · 10-06-2007, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by Bill West

Chip;
Also I think it is a mistake to do in house edging, quit it in 1976.

I made a visit once to Bill. He was in King NC at that time. It was a pleasant visit. We sat and talked for an hour or two. I ask why he did not edge in house. His reply: He did not have time. :D Thanks Bill for taking the time for the visit.

Seriously, the biggest factor in what an optician is paid , is if it is a licenses state or not. If you live and work in a non licenses state, make a change.

**Optowoman** · 10-06-2007, 05:05 PM

Why isn't this posted in the professionals forum? We are all professionals, right?

**chip anderson** · 10-06-2007, 05:18 PM

I don't really think license has anything to do with it. Depends on what an optician is worth and how "Optician" is defined. I would say one is worth about $500.00 a week and if the store is making a profit 10% of gross.

Some worth a lot more and some not worth near that much.

Chip

**DRAINGE1** · 10-06-2007, 09:54 PM

I'm ABO, and NCLE certified, and taking my state board in a few days.
I am currently at 13+comm. By November, i will be at 19+comm.

At CE hours, we have been told no Optician should work for under 23/hr. Hmm.... Wouldn't that be nice for us newcomers to start out at.

**Alteaon** · 10-06-2007, 09:59 PM

I now work for a private practice, and my pay has improved. With this pay increase, my motivation has increased. I want to make damn sure I'm earning what I make, not sitting on my butt just letting it happen. I am happy w/ the amount I make.

It would be grand if we could all make 23.00/hr, but I don't honestly know that many opticians who really do make that much money, unless they own thier own joint or close to it. I think it also has to do with what kind of company you work for, how large they are, ect...as well as other benefits that may not be monetary.....

I think part of it is not wanting to pay someone tons more than they are worth. You don't have to give raises, but you can't take money away. It's a matter of proving oneself that you are worth more..

**Daylilly** · 10-07-2007, 09:24 PM

I'm reading through these posts on wage and education and wondering - what keeps folks in the optical industry - besides the sky high wages and fab perks.....(HA-HA)...
I worked for 27 years in the optical industry for an (no names) optical 'chain'. From the lab, to business office, to retail dispenser, to store manager. Along the way I became ABO certified (non company sponsered and not state required), and completed a 4-yr. degree in General Studies with Business as the major. Long story short, I burned out in the field and last May quit my job. Now, the company I used to work for has hired me as a consultant to teach folks in the company optics. And folish me (I really do love optics - and more than that the patients I can help) I took the position for not enough money! Aren't all consultants supposed to get moochos buckaroonoos? But I digress. What keeps you from burning out? Did I miss the mark by not finding a good private doc to work with?

**Andrew Weiss** · 10-08-2007, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by Optowoman

Why isn't this posted in the professionals forum? We are all professionals, right?

When this thread started, there was no professional forum.

Maybe there's a benefit in giving the general public an opportunity to read how much (or little) we earn -- especially those folks who feel they are being grossly overcharged for their eyeglasses.

**gemstone** · 10-08-2007, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

I don't really think license has anything to do with it. Depends on what an optician is worth and how "Optician" is defined. I would say one is worth about $500.00 a week and if the store is making a profit 10% of gross.

Some worth a lot more and some not worth near that much.

Chip

Maybe. I still got to believe in licenses states they make a lot more.

**HarryChiling** · 10-08-2007, 11:48 AM

You think you got it bad, what about those poor auto workers:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...Q85jAD8S54VIG0

$75.86 an hour. How's a man to feed a family on that. :hammer:

**cocoisland58** · 10-08-2007, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

I don't really think license has anything to do with it. Depends on what an optician is worth and how "Optician" is defined. I would say one is worth about $500.00 a week and if the store is making a profit 10% of gross.

Some worth a lot more and some not worth near that much.

Chip

Agree. In an unliscensed state it's about experience. 30 years in the business and I am at the top of the pay scale but I am fortunate that someone thinks I am worth that much. I don't get a profit share but I have great benefits, and I respect the people I work for. If I left this job I wouldn't get half what I am making anywhere else. So wages very often depend on the fact that you succeed in making yourself indispensable.

**optigrrl** · 10-08-2007, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by HarryChiling

You think you got it bad, what about those poor auto workers:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...Q85jAD8S54VIG0

$75.86 an hour. How's a man to feed a family on that. :hammer:

Wow.

**bhess25** · 10-08-2007, 02:33 PM

ok so ohio is a license state and all of the newly licensed opticians where i work are making well over 15.00 and hour the minute they get thier licenses...we have one lady thats been a licensed optician for 17 years and shes banking over 20.00 an hour, and when i say well over i mean like in the high 20's to low 30's!!

**35oldguy** · 10-08-2007, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by HarryChiling

You think you got it bad, what about those poor auto workers:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...Q85jAD8S54VIG0

$75.86 an hour. How's a man to feed a family on that. :hammer:

Wow! I am moving to Detroit next week! The family can stay put. Maybe in a few short years I will have a nice pension too!

**jeffsoptical** · 10-08-2007, 03:22 PM

Unfortunately most Doctors do not pay opticians what they are worth. As far as getting $75 a hour for an optician, it's not going to happen. The best way to get paid right is to open your own optical retail store

Jeff:cheers::cheers::cheers:

**chip anderson** · 10-08-2007, 03:43 PM

My secretary makes in the Low 20's to the Low 30's and she doesn't have a license.
It's what you are worth not what some union (license) says you are worth!

Chip

**35oldguy** · 10-08-2007, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

My secretary makes in the Low 20's to the Low 30's and she doesn't have a license.
It's what you are worth not what some union (license) says you are worth!

Chip

Chip:

You an I think alike! Experience and know how is the most important!

Anyone can buy a license!

**edKENdance** · 10-08-2007, 08:28 PM

I make about 35 based solely on my good looks.

**optigrrl** · 10-08-2007, 11:26 PM

Originally Posted by edKENdance

I make about 35 based solely on my good looks.

Too bad you're married. (JK!)

**edKENdance** · 10-08-2007, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by optigrrl

Too bad you're married. (JK!)

Technically yes but only for about 26 more days.

:cheers:

**kodorovski** · 10-10-2007, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by 35oldguy

And after 35 years what is the pay?!!!

wow... in my country... an optician not payed that much

**Optowoman** · 10-10-2007, 06:38 PM

Didn't think of it that way. Good point Andrew.

**35oldguy** · 10-11-2007, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by kodorovski

wow... in my country... an optician not payed that much

How much is that?

**Dannyboy** · 10-11-2007, 08:02 PM

Florida licensed optician:
Chains $16-$22 per hour excludes spiff
Private Optician 15-20
Private OD $10-$ 22 (manager)
Private MD group 20-30
Private MD solo 20-25
owner: 1 store 50k to 120K

What do other Fl. licensed opticians think....?

**Johns** · 10-11-2007, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dannyboy

Florida licensed optician:
Chains $16-$22 per hour excludes spiff
Private Optician 15-20
Private OD $10-$ 22 (manager)
Private MD group 20-30
Private MD solo 20-25
owner: 1 store 50k to 120K

What do other Fl. licensed opticians think....?

When I graduated from HCC, and passed the Fla board in 1985, I was offered a starting wage of 13.50 an hour, working for a chain store. I missed my family, so I moved back to Ohio, got a license there, and was paid the high wage of 8.50 per hour.