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Opticians, Dispensing in Missouri
Want to work as an Opticians, Dispensing in Missouri? Here’s what the data says. Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.
What do Opticians, Dispensing Make in Missouri?
For a opticians, dispensing working in Missouri, the typical annual salary is $36,960 per year (or about $17.77/hour).Pay can range from $31,000 at the 10th percentile to $51,950 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $31,000 | $14.90 |
| 25th percentile | $34,280 | $16.48 |
| Median (50th) | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 75th percentile | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 90th percentile | $51,950 | $24.98 |
The job concentration index in Missouri compared to the national average — is 1.07.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, opticians, dispensing earn a median of $127,783 per year ($61.43/hour), below the Missouri median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 1,141,586 opticians, dispensing in the U.S.. In Missouri alone, approximately 1,610 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,000 opticians, dispensing.
Top Missouri Metros for Opticians, Dispensing
The metro areas below employ the most opticians, dispensing in Missouri.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 810 | $37,980 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 550 | $38,460 |
| Springfield, MO | 190 | $37,890 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 60 | $35,360 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 60 | $35,420 |
| Columbia, MO | 60 | $35,820 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 30 | $37,690 |
Top States for Opticians, Dispensing Employment
The table below shows the states where the most opticians, dispensing work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 8,180 |
| Texas | 7,100 |
| New York | 5,180 |
| Florida | 5,030 |
| Illinois | 3,660 |
| Michigan | 3,220 |
| Ohio | 3,190 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,750 |
| Georgia | 2,580 |
| Virginia | 2,500 |
| New Jersey | 2,260 |
| Washington | 2,000 |
| Indiana | 1,900 |
| North Carolina | 1,890 |
| Arizona | 1,670 |
| Tennessee | 1,640 |
| Minnesota | 1,630 |
| Missouri | 1,610 |
| Wisconsin | 1,530 |
| Colorado | 1,510 |
Highest-Paying States for Opticians, Dispensing
These states pay the most for opticians, dispensing.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $66,250 |
| Connecticut | $64,780 |
| Massachusetts | $63,810 |
| New York | $60,100 |
| District of Columbia | $59,110 |
| California | $57,770 |
| Vermont | $57,500 |
| Florida | $56,920 |
| Alaska | $56,260 |
| Hawaii | $56,090 |
Skills
Top opticians, dispensing skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for opticians, dispensing, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Opticians, Dispensing typically:
- Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
- Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
- Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
- Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
- Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
- Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
- Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.
- Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.
- Determine clients' current lens prescriptions, when necessary, using lensometers or lens analyzers and clients' eyeglasses.
- Prepare work orders and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses.
- Obtain a customer's previous record, or verify a prescription with the examining optometrist or ophthalmologist.
- Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and goods related to eyes, in general.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Selling or Influencing Others
- Getting Information
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Working with Computers
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Performing Administrative Activities
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Intuit QuickBooks
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Careers similar to opticians, dispensing include:
- Optometrists
- Pharmacists
- Audiologists
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Pharmacy Technicians
Also Known As
Certified Optician, Contact Lens Fitter, Contact Lens Technician, Dispensing Optician, Dispensing and Measuring Optician, Eyecare Advisor, Eyeglass Fitter, Eyewear Specialist, Licensed Dispensing Optician (LDO), Licensed Optical Dispenser, Licensed Optician, Ophthalmic Dispenser, Optical Dispenser, Optical Sales Associate, Optical Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2081.00
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