skip to main content

Blog / E-News March 2, 2020

Everything You Need to Know About Becoming an Optical Technician

March 2, 2020

Curious about a career that allows you to combine fashion with technology? Enter the role of an optical technician. Also known as ophthalmic lab technicians, these professionals are in high demand across the country. According to the California Employment Development Department, the employment rate among opticians is expected to grow by 17.6 percent by 20261. That number far exceeds the average growth rate tied to other fields.

Eye health is something people tend to ignore until they start experiencing problems. Fortunately, that’s beginning to change. As information abou eye exams spreads across age groups, the demand for opticians and optical technicians continues to rise.

Listed below are a few more factors that can help explain the rise in demand for optical technicians:

What does an optical technician do?

Optical Technicians typically work in optical facilities, optometrist/ophthalmologist offices or retail enterprises that deal in eyewear and are generally expected to:

Skilled individuals can receive entry-level positions as optical technicians, optical lab technicians or contact lens fitters. These jobs require a mix of clinical skills, manual dexterity, customer service skills, salesmanship and communication skills. Familiarity with data entry software and point of sale (POS) devices is a bonus.

How much do optical technicians make?

According to salary.com, the salary for optical technicians ranges from $37,324 to $48,719 per year. As is the case with any other career or profession, compensation depends on a variety of factors, including educational qualifications, experience, expertise, skills and your employer.

How to become an optical technician

The prerequisites for becoming an optical technician consist of formal education and practical training. If you are considering a career in optical technology, sign up for an optical technician program today. You can choose to pursue an associate degree, diploma or certificate course in the subject.

Here are a few things you should look for in an ideal optical technician training program:

American Career College offers a dynamic optical technician program to help you prepare for the National Opticianry Competency Exam and Contact Lens Registry Exam (administered by the ABO/NCLE). This is an essential step for your Optometric Assistant certification.

Here are some of the key components of the institute’s syllabus:

The institute’s accelerated optical technician training program allows students to complete their diploma in as little as nine months. Delivered in a blended learning format, the course combines classroom learning, practical training and online instruction. The program only requires you be on campus two days a week.

This accredited program is available at American Career College’s LA and Ontario campuses:

Begin your journey to becoming a optical technician now! Contact us to learn more about our diploma offerings.

1 https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides/Detail.aspx?Soccode=292081&Geography=0601000000
https://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/cgi/databrowsing/occExplorerQSDetails.asp?searchCriteria=&careerID=&menuChoice=occExplorer&geogArea=0601000000&soccode=519083&search=Explore+Occupation

Back to News

Take the first step toward your new career today.

By clicking above, I consent to receive calls, emails and/or text messages** by a college representative with information for educational opportunities at the number(s) provided above. understand calls may be initiated by an automated telephone dialing system. I need not grant this consent to receive information or to be eligible to enroll with ACC. I understand that I am not required to provide consent as a condition of any purchase. I also understand that I may revoke my consent at any time in accordance with ACC's Opt-Out Disclaimer. All information provided is subject to ACC's Privacy Policy. (**Standard rates may apply.) Disclaimer I understand that if I no longer wish to receive text messages from ACC, I may revoke my consent at any time by texting back "Stop" to unsubscribe from the service. I understand that if I no longer wish to receive emails, I may revoke my consent at any time by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link within any email I receive from ACC. I understand I may revoke my consent to receive calls by informing any ACC associate calling me that I no longer want to receive calls from ACC.

*Required

Connect with us!

Voted Best Career College in the 2023 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Readers Choice Awards

Ontario Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2023 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Readers Choice Awards.

Voted Best Career College in the 2023 LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards.

LA Campus: Voted Best Career College in the 2023 LA Daily News Readers Choice Awards.

Voted Favorite Career College in the 2023 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers Choice Awards.

OC Campus: Voted Favorite Career College in the 2023 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Readers Choice Awards.

Scroll to the top
Call Us