Optician's Salary/Hourly Wages?

[ncoptician]

Out of curiosity and the need to update H.R. info for my company, I am wondering what the average Optician's salary/wages are on a National Level? If folks would reply (anonymously if desired) with their salary/wage level, State they practice in, is it a licensed State or not, years of service/experience it would be greatly appreciated. Also, any other pertinent info would be of great help IE... any specialty like contact lens fitting?, retail chain or private practice, is commision offered or a part of the figure given?, starting VS. 5 or 10 years experienced pay levels?, etc., etc., etc.
Thank you for taking part in this post and maybe this will shed a light on the subject for all of us.

[PAkev]

In my opinion opticians, on a national level are W A Y underpaid.
Indeed a good optician has abilities above and beyond helping someone choose good fitting frames and lenses but the prevailing industry demands with a rising presence of third party insurance programs is a good barometer of keeping things in check with reality.

For instance take a modest third party insurance benefit fitting fee of $30.00 and appropriate that to the time and resouces invoved with business operations: Fitting, Ordering, Administrative, Dispensing, Adjustments, Repairs,
Materials (ie. nosepads, screws, temple bar covers, etc.) lease, phones, electric, employe benefits, etc. You will notice the $30 is a bargain to the insurance company or consumer compared to fees paid for other professional services. My GM dealerhip gets $60/hr. for labor costs and most people don't have a problem paying it because they put high value on getting from point A to Point B.

More and more consumers are being programmed that buying eyewear can be just as easy as buying any other daily commodity such as a gallon of milk. I'm sure your not hearing something new or that you already don't understand but as the consumers expectations are lowered, so is the value of those associated with providing the service and/or product.

Now that you can see many (not all) are finding a career in opticianry less than lucrative heres my answer to your question........
Here in PA (unlicensed) uncertified opticians are around or under $10/hr. ABO certified opticians can usually command a few sheckles more in an established dispensary and usually see numbers in the low to mid teens (avg. $13) per hour.

[35oldguy]

Pretty low wages. Depends mainly on who you work for, experience, education, etc. You make the most when you work for yourself or at least have the opportunity to make more. You never make enough working for the other guy.

In my opinion opticians, on a national level are W A Y underpaid.
Indeed a good optician has abilities above and beyond helping someone choose good fitting frames and lenses but the prevailing industry demands with a rising presence of third party insurance programs is a good barometer of keeping things in check with reality.

For instance take a modest third party insurance benefit fitting fee of $30.00 and appropriate that to the time and resouces invoved with business operations: Fitting, Ordering, Administrative, Dispensing, Adjustments, Repairs,
Materials (ie. nosepads, screws, temple bar covers, etc.) lease, phones, electric, employe benefits, etc. You will notice the $30 is a bargain to the insurance company or consumer compared to fees paid for other professional services. My GM dealerhip gets $60/hr. for labor costs and most people don't have a problem paying it because they put high value on getting from point A to Point B.

More and more consumers are being programmed that buying eyewear can be just as easy as buying any other daily commodity such as a gallon of milk. I'm sure your not hearing something new or that you already don't understand but as the consumers expectations are lowered, so is the value of those associated with providing the service and/or product.

Now that you can see many (not all) are finding a career in opticianry less than lucrative heres my answer to your question........
Here in PA (unlicensed) uncertified opticians are around or under $10/hr. ABO certified opticians can usually command a few sheckles more in an established dispensary and usually see numbers in the low to mid teens (avg. $13) per hour.

[CME4SPECS]

Pakev, I hope you are kidding about the under $10. My daughter makes $10 an hour babysitting.

[PAkev]

No...Im not kiding about the $10/hr.....since the person recommending new eyewear could have been the same person selling you shoes in the clothing dept. two weeks ago. It is not uncommon for some chains here in PA to start untrained folks at or slightly above min. wage. Your daughter probably takes home more than what some of these places pay their managers.
Old guy, I am fortunate enough to be the one to cash the checks and pay the bills.........aka "Self Employed" But if I had to pay another optician (as in my previous post) anything near what I pay for just the labor to repair my vehicle, I would personally be looking for work with that "Other Guy" There are so many hidden costs of employing a person that many folks don't recognize as a cost above and beyond their hourly salary rate: ie. Social Security, Unemployment Compensation, Workmans Comp, Health Insurance, etc.

The numbers I provided are contingent upon a lot of factors but as an average, are fairly close to the industry norms for our area.

[cinders831]

WE have been discussing this at work as well. I to feel sorely underpaid. My starting income was 11.50 five years ago. I became certified shortly after and then I was bumped a dollar an hour after that. I am currently at a higher wage per hour with a monthly incentive bonus based on our gross. I have four weeks paid time off and work for pretty great people. Unfortunately for being the purchaser, optical manager, and generally loved by my pt's I feel horribly underpaid. At this time we are trying to expand and I would love to see our office grow. My office sends us to Vegas (Vision Expo West)every year, or most every, and my bosses really are great. So I grumble and contimplate and so far I am staying happily underpaid. I will tell you that the small things add up, like when boss buys lunch or we get our Holiday bonus, and when they say Good job and thanks, all of its worth it. We are an unlicensed state with a low number of ABO opticians and I feel like an asset to my office. In any case hope that helps and just as a heads up, the little things matter if you cant offer a large wage. Make your people feel valued and you could be amazed as to what they will and can do for you.

[Bev Heishman]

PAKEV is correct in his analogy of wages in an unlicensed state. The average I see for newley certified optician with 2 years experience is $12.25 an hour with benefits that amount to an additional $6.00 an hour if you are lucky to work 40 hours and they pay for insurance, 401 K, etc. Others are $9 an hour no benefits but some low paid commision.

However those with degrees, experience and management ability are weighing in at minimum $23 an hour with benefits including 401 K match and profit sharing. The more though you make the more on the shoulders.

Depending where you are located, count on $10 an hour plus commisions. The uncertified I see at $7 an hour to start with increments at .25 & .50 with commisions on certain products. Often they have no extra benefits. Not a pretty picture.

[Spexvet]

I live in PA and work in New Jersey because NJ is a licensed state. A license and a pulse will get you $18 - $20/hr, even with a chain. If you run the doctor's business for him, you can make significantly more than that. :D

[ncoptician]

thank you all for the posts... this is a good start.

I agree that we are an underpaid and underappreciated profession. All of the "buy one get one free", "1/2 off", and other retail gimmicks have cheapened our profession. We have become another freebie service in the eyes of the "I want it my way right away", "McDonalds mentality" consumer. The only way I see to combat this trend is to be a PROFESSINAL! Maintian the experience, knowledge and skills required to do your job adequetly and charge people for you services. Free adjustments, screws and nose pads should be for YOUR patients only, charge for outsiders and do the job well. They will appreciate your skills and knowledge and be back again, unlike the horrible adjustments they get from the guy who sold them glasses and worked at "Burger King" the week before.

There is a reason licensed States make higher wages. They require formal training and continued education hours every year to maintain a license. I am an instructor and speaker for these hours in my state and it gripes me to no end to hear people complain about having to attend these courses. They don't seem to understand or appreciate the education or the higher wages they make because of it. If we were to lose our licenses and all of their salaries were cut in 1/2... I bet they would take notice then!!!
While on this subject, I wish Opticianry was a 4 year degree instead of an associates. We should learn or be taught more business, marketing and management classes as well. A 4 year degree would allow us all to have the $60-80K/year jobs.

SORRY SORRY SORRY... I will step down from the soap box now and get back to the subject at hand. Again, thank you for the posts on salary/wages and keep them comming.

[35oldguy]

You are trying to create an ideal profession. You truly are on the right path.

Education is the key. Respectability will come with more education and true professionals will make what they are worth. But as a profession you must make a committment!

thank you all for the posts... this is a good start.

I agree that we are an underpaid and underappreciated profession. All of the "buy one get one free", "1/2 off", and other retail gimmicks have cheapened our profession. We have become another freebie service in the eyes of the "I want it my way right away", "McDonalds mentality" consumer. The only way I see to combat this trend is to be a PROFESSINAL! Maintian the experience, knowledge and skills required to do your job adequetly and charge people for you services. Free adjustments, screws and nose pads should be for YOUR patients only, charge for outsiders and do the job well. They will appreciate your skills and knowledge and be back again, unlike the horrible adjustments they get from the guy who sold them glasses and worked at "Burger King" the week before.

There is a reason licensed States make higher wages. They require formal training and continued education hours every year to maintain a license. I am an instructor and speaker for these hours in my state and it gripes me to no end to hear people complain about having to attend these courses. They don't seem to understand or appreciate the education or the higher wages they make because of it. If we were to lose our licenses and all of their salaries were cut in 1/2... I bet they would take notice then!!!
While on this subject, I wish Opticianry was a 4 year degree instead of an associates. We should learn or be taught more business, marketing and management classes as well. A 4 year degree would allow us all to have the $60-80K/year jobs.

SORRY SORRY SORRY... I will step down from the soap box now and get back to the subject at hand. Again, thank you for the posts on salary/wages and keep them comming.

[Jason Carruthers]

I disagree that education will increase the average salary of an optician. It's a simple case of supply and demand.

If there are opticians lined up to take your job at a lower pay, then you are going to have a hard time demanding more money, regardless of how many ABO exams you write, or associations you belong to.

Of the three O's, who makes the most money?

Of the three O's, who has the fewest members?

Same answer.

[PAkev]

Another issue:
The consumer asked for it and they not have it........an EYEWEAR PACKAGE
It's NOT what is the cost of:

Frames +

Progressive Lens+

Premium Progressive upcharge+

Anti Reflective+

Premium Anti Reflective upcharge+

Transition+

High Index

But how much is a pair of glasses with all the things I want going to cost me?

While this may work for the #5 Value Meal at Wendy's to fill your belly until the next meal, It doesn't always work well when purchasing eyewear that is intended to last for the next 2 years. In other words, it can give the impression "Heres what you get and how much it cost... because we're too busy selling cheap eyewear packages to discuss the lens features in detail."

The problem I see is that since we now have a plethora of lens products compared to 20 yrs ago, a lot can be missed with value packaging.

[35oldguy]

Then why have a ABO or a NCLE? Why have any standards at all. The consumer does evidently not know the difference unless they get a bad job.

If they all go to the chains or the package places for a lower price why does the consumer need an optician or for that matter a optometrist. If it is strictly suppy and demand why as a consumer do I care to buy a product for seeing important. It is just another product like a gallon of gas.

The MD's make the most $$$ by doing laser surgery. In the future maybe the price for having it done will be much less and people will not even need eyeglasses. Just a thought! A lot of change has happened in the last twenty years or so.

I disagree that education will increase the average salary of an optician. It's a simple case of supply and demand.

If there are opticians lined up to take your job at a lower pay, then you are going to have a hard time demanding more money, regardless of how many ABO exams you write, or associations you belong to.

Of the three O's, who makes the most money?

Of the three O's, who has the fewest members?

Same answer.

[Jason Carruthers]

35oldguy, you're mixing up a couple of different issues. I'm not saying it isn't worthwhile to be qualified. I'm saying that overall, what will determine your salary as an optician will be supply and demand. Why are companies moving their manufacturing to China? Because the SUPPLY of labour is HIGH and the DEMAND is LOW.

In the USA, the DEMAND for qualified opticians is LOW because most states don't require companies to DEMAND them. And because almost anyone can become an optician, the SUPPLY is HIGH.

Compare that to ophthalmologists. Higher regulation equals LOW SUPPLY and therefore, HIGH DEMAND.

[tymmerz]

Out of curiosity and the need to update H.R. info for my company, I am wondering what the average Optician's salary/wages are on a National Level? If folks would reply (anonymously if desired) with their salary/wage level, State they practice in, is it a licensed State or not, years of service/experience it would be greatly appreciated. Also, any other pertinent info would be of great help IE... any specialty like contact lens fitting?, retail chain or private practice, is commision offered or a part of the figure given?, starting VS. 5 or 10 years experienced pay levels?, etc., etc., etc.
Thank you for taking part in this post and maybe this will shed a light on the subject for all of us.

Hello, I am an optician in an optometry office. I am the best there is, experienced in all phases, slightly weak in hard cls, i make 19 an hour, no benefits

[Snitgirl]

Hello, I am an optician in an optometry office. I am the best there is, experienced in all phases, slightly weak in hard cls, i make 19 an hour, no benefits

How many years have you worked in the Optical Field if you don't mind me asking?

[ncoptician]

You are trying to create an ideal profession. You truly are on the right path.

Education is the key. Respectability will come with more education and true professionals will make what they are worth. But as a profession you must make a committment!

:) Ha Ha Ha...WHEW!! I could think of several other things to do as an "Ideal Profession" Beer taste tester for one... :cheers: ...just think of all the free samples and not having to deal with the public.

[drk]

My optician is making $18. Per day. Just kidding. Per hour.

[keagles2]

Can you say WOW !!!!! Good job.

[Karlen McLean]

According to the May issue of Opthalmology Management, the 2004 Staff Salary Survey (national) conducted by The Health Care Group yielded the following results:
For opticians employed less than 2 years:
Low: $8.00
Average: $13.54
High: $23.08
For opticians employed from 2 to 5 years:
Low: $9.75
Average: $15.37
High: $30.00
For opticians employed more than 5 years:
Low: $10.49
Average: $17.12
High: $31.62

[35oldguy]

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

According to the May issue of Opthalmology Management, the 2004 Staff Salary Survey (national) conducted by The Health Care Group yielded the following results:
For opticians employed less than 2 years:
Low: $8.00
Average: $13.54
High: $23.08
For opticians employed from 2 to 5 years:
Low: $9.75
Average: $15.37
High: $30.00
For opticians employed more than 5 years:
Low: $10.49
Average: $17.12
High: $31.62

[35oldguy]

Good idea!! Your liver probably would suffer. It would be a terrible death!

:) Ha Ha Ha...WHEW!! I could think of several other things to do as an "Ideal Profession" Beer taste tester for one... :cheers: ...just think of all the free samples and not having to deal with the public.

[Snitgirl]

My optician is making $18. Per day. Just kidding. Per hour.

drk,

Is your Optician certified?

If not, would you pay them more if they passed the ABO while under your employment?

If so, I am curious, what would be the amount (increase) you feel they have earned for their advancement in the field?

[35oldguy]

I have a question. If you have a license or just a ABO certification which is voluntary, is this the only variable you would use to determine how much a person is worth?

drk,

Is your Optician certified?

If not, would you pay them more if they passed the ABO while under your employment?

If so, I am curious, what would be the amount (increase) you feel they have earned for their advancement in the field?

[drk]

drk,

Is your Optician certified?

If not, would you pay them more if they passed the ABO while under your employment?

If so, I am curious, what would be the amount (increase) you feel they have earned for their advancement in the field?

Forgive my obtuseness, but my optician is spectacle and contact lens licensed by the state. I'd have to ask her if she has ABO certification, but I think not.

As to the pay scale, I think that professional advancement is a plus. Payscales should reflect that. I would be more likely to set a standard starting salary for apprentice, then ABO-NCLE certified, then state licensed, then master (forgive me if I got those reversed), assuming it's an employment situation. I can't be that much more specific, but I would say each step should improve at least 20%.

The bottom line is that with increased education/certification, increased value to a health care delivery team and increased responsibility should occur, be it better decision-making skills or patient care. There should be a tangible increase in the financial value of the advancing professional, as well, that would justify the greater remuneration.

Ideally in this world, education should translate directly to higher income, but in reality its higher education-> higher value-> higher income.