Ohio Opticians

**AutumN** · 09-11-2007, 09:28 PM

Just found out that my hubby will be losing his job in 6mos - 2 years. He works for a pharmaceutical company that will be outsourcing their work and closing the facility. He has been asked to transfer to Ohio. My questions are:

What's the Optician market like there?

Are there many jobs?

I know Ohio is a lic state, but does anyone know if they will transfer a lic from NY?

Waht kind of pay can a managing optician with 10 years exp. expect?

Thanks for any info.

**Johns** · 09-11-2007, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by AutumN

Just found out that my hubby will be losing his job in 6mos - 2 years. He works for a pharmaceutical company that will be outsourcing their work and closing the facility. He has been asked to transfer to Ohio. My questions are:

What's the Optician market like there?

Are there many jobs?

I know Ohio is a lic state, but does anyone know if they will transfer a lic from NY?

Waht kind of pay can a managing optician with 10 years exp. expect?

Thanks for any info.

The optician market is not so hot in some parts of Ohio, but I'm sure that could be said for any part of the country.

I recently hired (rescued) an optician that moved from NY to work for WM, at one of their new stores. After 3 weeks, they cut his hours from 40 to 28 and told him he should be happy to have a job.

He was making about $9 per hour more in NY, but moved here to be closer to his kids. He said he doesn't mind the diff in pay because the cost of living is much lower here.

He transfered his license for rather easily, by proving his CEUs and license were up to date.

I can give you more specific if you PM me.

Good luck.

**DragonLensmanWV** · 09-12-2007, 10:50 AM

Johns has a LOT of experience in Ohio, so you can take his advice to the bank. As he said a lot will depend where in Ohio you're being sent to. Some towns are very close to the borders of WV, KY, and IN. If your new destination is close to a border, you might want to consider looking in some of the surrounding states. KY and IN are licensed, while WV is not.

**Fezz** · 09-12-2007, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

Johns has a LOT of experience in Ohio, so you can take his advice to the bank. As he said a lot will depend where in Ohio you're being sent to. Some towns are very close to the borders of WV, KY, and IN. If your new destination is close to a border, you might want to consider looking in some of the surrounding states. KY and IN are licensed, while WV is not.

Pennsylvania is unlicensed as well. The Opticians here are WEAK at best(most), and pay is generally less than Home Depot, or bussing tables.

Good luck. Sorry to hear the bad news. Hang in there!

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

**Johns** · 09-12-2007, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Fezz

Good luck. Sorry to hear the bad news. Hang in there!

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Which is worse, losing your job, or being sent to Ohio ?:shiner:

**AutumN** · 09-12-2007, 11:15 AM

Thanks for the help. It just really stinks, because I have a very good set up and enjoy this job very much, however, his job really trumps mine bad.

Johns, once I find out exactly where he's talking, I'd like to pick your brain some more if you don't mind. Thanks.

**gemstone** · 09-12-2007, 11:30 AM

Columbus has the Optical Village. It's not retail but some good expertise may be appreciated there.

**Johns** · 09-12-2007, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by AutumN

Thanks for the help. It just really stinks, because I have a very good set up and enjoy this job very much, however, his job really trumps mine bad.

Johns, once I find out exactly where he's talking, I'd like to pick your brain some more if you don't mind. Thanks.

PM me, I'd be happy to answer any questions...who knows, maybe I can hire you!
:cheers:

**Karlen McLean** · 09-12-2007, 12:59 PM

...the Opticians Association of Ohio, 1100-H Brandywine Blvd., Zanesville, Ohio 43701-7303. Mark Bennett, CAE, mbennett@offinger.com, 800-661-5367, 614-501-1100.

**partyoptician** · 09-12-2007, 02:09 PM

The best area in my opinion is the Columbus area. Wages seem to be higher on average. I used to manage a store there and the avg wage was $12-15 an hour. However now that Luxottica now owes most of the retail stores I'm sure they have driven the wage downward. I left the Columbus market in 2001. Goodluck and be sure to talk to Johns.

**Johns** · 09-12-2007, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by partyoptician

The best area in my opinion is the Columbus area. Wages seem to be higher on average. I used to manage a store there and the avg wage was $12-15 an hour. However now that Luxottica now owes most of the retail stores I'm sure they have driven the wage downward. I left the Columbus market in 2001. Goodluck and be sure to talk to Johns.

I hear that market is totaly saturated! W/ teh OD school spewing out new grads (:bbg:), you trip over ODs there.

Besides, I hear DRK has most pf that market share anyway!:cheers: