Optical Laboratory Technician

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

• 3414.3: Optical/Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Assistants

2006 NOC-S

• D313: Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services

2011 NOC

• 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2016 NOC

• 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2021 NOC

• 33109: Other assisting occupations in support of health services

2023 OaSIS

• 33109.05: Optical/ophthalmic laboratory technicians and assistants

Optical laboratory technicians work in optical labs where they:

• Cut, grind, and polish lenses to precise measurements
• Assemble and repair eyeglass frames
• Fit lenses into frames

Technicians may specialize in surfacing or finishing lenses. Surfacing includes:

• Selecting and marking a blank lens to indicate required curves
• Fastening the blank lens to a metal object for support while it’s ground and polished
• Generating a curve
• Grinding and polishing lens surfaces to the prescribed specifications

Finishing involves:

• Measuring lens power
• Cutting lenses to the size and shape required to fit selected frames
• Edging and bevelling lenses including deciding where to put the optical centre to fit the client and the frame
• Drilling lenses
• Assembling eyeglasses

Some optical laboratory technicians produced prescription contact lenses in specialized contact lens labs.

To learn about working directly with customers, see the Optician occupational profile.

Optical laboratory technicians work in labs. They may be on their feet for much of the day. Allergic reactions to the chemical agents used in an optical lab is a potential workplace hazard. Preparing lenses in a limited time can be stressful.

Optical laboratory technicians typically work a standard 40-hour week but may also work part-time or casually. Those working in quick-serve and retail settings may work some evenings and weekends.

In the industry, this is seen as an entry-level position.

Many optical laboratory technicians work for large, full-service labs where they perform specific tasks. Others work in smaller surfacing or edging labs. These may be linked with optical retail stores or optometrists’ practices.

Trainees may start work in the stock room of an optical lab. They may then progress to surfacing or finishing roles. After about 3 months at 1 task, trainees move to another task. After about 3 years, they develop enough skills to work unsupervised. This applies to both surfacing and finishing.

With time, technicians may become supervisors or move into related fields. For example, they may sell safety programs to industry. Or they may sell and repair optometric diagnostic tools. Some technicians study to become dispensing opticians (see the Optician occupational profile). There is a trend toward training for one position or the other.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

In the 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services occupational group, 83.7% of people work in:

• Health Care and Social Services

Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, the 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 169 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

College of Opticians of Alberta (COA) website: albertaopticians.ca

Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) website: www.opticians.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.