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Optician

Also called optician expert, expert optician, qualified optician

Opticians help to improve and correct an individual's vision. They fit spectacle lenses and frames, contact lenses, and other devices according to the specifications of the individual. Their scope of practice varies according to national regulations and they might operate according to prescriptions provided by a specialised doctor in ophthalmology or an optometrist in the countries where requested.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects41 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Health associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,500 (Bulgaria) to €8,200 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Health associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree.Health associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Dispensing opticians · ILO

What you'd do

Dispensing opticians · ILO
  • Examining and taking facial and eye measurements of clients for fitting of eyeglasses and other optical devices
  • Providing advice to clients with selection and maintenance of eyeglasses and frames, types of contact lenses and other optical devices for performance, safety, comfort and lifestyle
  • Interpreting optical prescriptions and preparing work order for optical laboratory for grinding and mounting of lenses in frames, preparation of contact lenses and other required work
  • Verifying exactness of finished optical appliances and devices to the original prescription and fit of clients
Empathise with the healthcare userManage healthcare users' dataComply with legislation related to health careComply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceEnsure safety of healthcare users+ 43 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Opticians, Dispensing"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as health associate professionals in the EU
6.04m6.64m7.71m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
921,000 new jobs 1,847,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Health associate professionals41
All jobs29
Right now
6 of 27 countries report a shortage of dispensing opticians, 2 a surplus.
Dispensing opticians · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,500 a month (Bulgaria) to €8,200 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in law is the usual route.

Highest qualification of health associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 37%Vocational 49%General secondary 6%Basic schooling 8%
Field that teaches it
Law
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.24 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 4 tasks
Interpreting optical prescriptions and preparing work order for optical laboratory for grinding and mounting of lenses in frames, preparation of contact lenses and other required work0.32
Providing advice to clients with selection and maintenance of eyeglasses and frames, types of contact lenses and other optical devices for performance, safety, comfort and lifestyle0.25
Verifying exactness of finished optical appliances and devices to the original prescription and fit of clients0.23
Examining and taking facial and eye measurements of clients for fitting of eyeglasses and other optical devices0.16

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for dispensing opticians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).