Opticians

Opticians

NOC
32100

assist with eyeglass frame selection, take measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses to match prescriptions, and fit clients with final eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Undetermined
Undetermined

3-Year Job Openings

27
 

Median Hourly Wage

$28.50
$20.73
Low
$34.30
High

Average Salary

$48,000
 

Typically Required

College or apprenticeship

Employed

272
 
Job details

Full NOC Description

Opticians assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, take the necessary measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses, mount lenses in eyeglass frames and fit clients with final prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.

Main Duties

    This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and take necessary measurements including the curvature of the eyes, the accurate position of the pupils and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
  • Advice clients on eyeglasses selection by informing them of different products such as lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
  • Adjust contact lenses and inform client on use and care
  • Grind, polish, cut and edge lenses or have them made by a laboratory before inserting them into the frame
  • Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
  • May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.

Also Known As

  • contact lens fitter
  • contact lens practitioner
  • dispensing optician
  • licensed optician
  • optician
Requirements

Employment Requirements

  • Completion of a two- or three-year college program in ophthalmic dispensing or optical sciences is required.
  • Licensing by a regulatory body for opticians is required in all provinces.
  • Licensing requirements for scope of practice and protected titles related to the sale or dispensing and fitting of contact lenses vary by province.

Provincial Regulation

  • Provincially Regulated: Yes
Employment by Gender

The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

Data legend

82.4%
Women
17.6%
Men
Employment by age

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

Data legend

17.6%
15-24
23.5%
25-34
21.6%
35-44
19.6%
45-54
13.7%
55-64
3.9%
65+
Employment by highest level of education

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

Data legend

Suppressed
No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
Suppressed
High School, Diploma or Equivalent
9.8%
Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
Suppressed
College or University Below Bachelor Level
Suppressed
University - Bachelor Level or Above
Employment by Industry

The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

Data legend

72.5%
Retail trade
25.5%
Health care and social assistance
Suppressed
Suppressed
2.0%
All Other Industries
Employment by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

Data legend

15.70%
Northeast
41.20%
Southeast
15.70%
Southwest
19.60%
Central
Suppressed
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Data legend

Suppressed
Northeast
$40,000
Southeast
Suppressed
Southwest
$56,000
Central
Suppressed
Northwest
Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

Economic Regions

The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

Northeast

$27.45
$23.61
Low
$33.10
High

Southeast

$27.39
$21.72
Low
$32.66
High

Southwest

$27.96
$22.22
Low
$33.81
High

Central

$26.85
$22.34
Low
$33.43
High
No Data Available
Salary

The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

New Brunswick

$48,000

Newfoundland

$52,000

Prince Edward Island

$50,000

Nova Scotia

$50,000

Canada

$56,100
Employment Outlook

The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

Three Year Outlook

Total Openings: 3-Year

27
 

New Jobs: 3-Year

14
 

Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

12
 

Ten Year Outlook

Total Openings: 10-Year

89
 

New Jobs: 10-Year

44
 

Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

45