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Optician

Opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, low-vision aids, and other eyewear to match prescriptions.

Also Known As

Contact Lens Fitter, Contact Lens Practitioner, Dispensing Optician, Ophthalmic Dispenser, Optical Dispenser, Registered Optician, RCLP, Refracting Optician

NOC Codes

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

  • 3231: Opticians

2006 NOC-S

  • D231: Opticians

2011 NOC

  • 3231: Opticians

2016 NOC

  • 3231: Opticians

2021 NOC

  • 32100: Opticians

2023 OaSIS

  • 32100.00: Opticians
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Opticians supply eyeglasses, contact lenses, low-vision aids, and prosthetics to clients. To do this, they use written prescriptions or match existing optical products. Duties vary but, in general, opticians:

  • Design, supply, prepare, adjust, and dispense optical appliances and prostheses, including corrective lenses, according to an optical prescription
  • Help customers choose the best frames (size and shape) based on their prescription and facial structure
  • Advise customers on lens and frame options based on factors such as their prescription, facial structure, occupation, hobbies, needs, expectations, and budget
  • Take measurements to determine the size, shape, and specifications for lenses, frames, and lens forms
  • Prepare work orders for optical lab technicians or opticians who will grind lenses and may assemble the eyeglasses
  • Assemble and repair eyeglasses
  • Verify that completed eyeglasses meet the required specifications (within tolerance) including prescription, measurements, quality, finishing, and so on
  • Fit and supply low-vision aids
  • Educate customers and registered members about eye health and the correct use of optical appliances and prostheses
  • Conduct or collaborate in optical research
  • Conduct assessments and make referrals where appropriate
  • Provide mentorship to student opticians through onsite training or by teaching at accredited institutions

In Alberta, they may provide refractions (measures of required eyeglass lens power). If an optician intends to refract, they must apply to the College of Opticians of Alberta (COA) for refracting designation through a process established by the COA.

Some opticians become certified as contact lens practitioners. They may design, supply, and assess contact lenses:

  • From optical prescriptions
  • For patients who have had a traumatic injury or corneal surgery
  • For reshaping corneas to correct near-sightedness
  • For patients with eye diseases

Opticians may also:

  • Arrange and keep displays of eyewear products
  • Supervise the training of student opticians
  • Purchase supplies or have related accounting duties
  • Own or manage optical or optometric practices
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Opticians are on their feet for much of their working day. Those working in retail stores may have to work some evenings and weekends. Some opticians may also work in mobile clinics.

Work Personalities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

How This Occupation Compares to Your Work Personalities

Fit
Fit Guide
An occupation can be a great, good, fair, weak, or poor fit for you.
R
Realistic
This occupation
You
S
Social
C
Conventional
This occupation
You

This Occupation’s Work Personalities

Your Work Personalities

Quick Guide

Alis work personalities are based on Holland’s theory. It identifies 6 personality types: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. People with similar personalities and interests will tend to pursue similar careers. They are likely to create work environments that are favourable to their type.

Most people will identify with 2 or 3 dominant personalities. If the occupation’s personalities match your more dominant types, this occupation is more likely to be satisfying and rewarding to you.

This Occupation’s Work Personalities lists the personalities most likely to be found in that occupation. They are listed in order of importance, with 1 as the most important.

Your Work Personalities shows where the occupation’s personalities rank within your test results. Rank 1 is your most dominant type and 6 is your least dominant.

Learn about work personalities

Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Opticians
2023 OaSIS: 32100.00

How This Occupation Compares to Your Abilities

The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.

The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.

The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Abilities Sets

The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.

Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.

This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Numbers and Patterns

Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.

This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Physical Activity

Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Mind-Body Coordination

Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Senses

Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking. 

This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:

lower
a match
higher
Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

Quick Guide

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Occupations use different combinations and levels of these abilities. The Abilities Quiz helps you learn more about your ability levels and which occupations match your strengths.

If you have completed the Abilities Quiz, you can compare the occupation’s ability expectations to your own ability scores. Your scores may be lower than, a match to, or higher than the occupation’s expected abilities.

Learn about abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Opticians need:

  • To be courteous and pleasant
  • Speaking and listening skills
  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Conflict-resolution skills
  • Math skills
  • The ability to study and interpret customer issues
  • Detail orientation
  • Skills in understanding and working with spatial relationships
  • Fine motor skills (to manipulate small objects and instruments)

They should enjoy:

  • Working with people
  • Using optical tools and equipment
  • Gathering, interpreting, and confirming information
  • Working in a health-care setting as a member of an eye-care team

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Opticians

2016 NOC: 3231

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 26 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Oct 29, 2021 and Oct 09, 2025.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Assist clients in selecting eyeglasses
Tasks: Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
Attention to detail
Tasks: Advise on use and care of contact lenses
Tasks: Cut and edge lenses and fit lenses into frames
Accurate
Dependability
Effective interpersonal skills
Reliability
Team player
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education 2 years post-secondary

In Alberta, opticians must have a combination of internship (practicum) experience and technical courses.

For a list of schools and programs that are recognized by the National Association of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) visit their website.

Required Education

The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Provincially regulated

Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.

The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.

Optician

Opticians dispense eyeglasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, and prosthetics from written prescriptions or by duplicating existing optical products. They also may provide sight tests to patients under the supervision of prescribing physicians or optometrists.

Legislation

Under Alberta’s Health Professions Act [pdf], Health Professions Restricted Activity Regulation [pdf], and Opticians Profession Regulation [pdf], registration with the College of Opticians of Alberta (COA) is mandatory. Only registered members may provide restricted activities specified in the Regulations. This includes those who:

  • Meet the identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public
  • Teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession
  • Supervise registered members
  • Use the titles or initials: optician, ophthalmic dispenser, optical dispenser, or RO

For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Optician.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Opticians work in:

  • Retail stores
  • Optical practices
  • Educational settings
  • Refractive surgery clinics
  • Ophthalmic practices
  • Optometric practices
  • Low-vision practices
  • Contact lens specialty practices

They may be employees or independent owners of optical practices. Some opticians work in association with ophthalmologists, optometrists, or a group of optical practitioners.

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.

Opticians
2016 NOC: 3231

95.0% of people in this occupational group work in:

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 examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Opticians
2021 NOC: 32100
Balanced
Job Market
< 1500
Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

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 examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

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

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

Opticians
2016 NOC: 3231
1.8%
Annual Growth
(Below average)
8
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

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 examples, see Note.

This occupation generally has a high turnover rate and employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Salaries vary depending on the company and the optician’s skills. Some receive commissions on the sale of optical devices.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Opticians

2021 NOC: 32100
Average Wage
$24.07
Per Hour
Average Salary
$42,411.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.7
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 32100 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.

C: Lower Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.52 $24.00 $17.73 $15.52
Overall $20.40 $35.00 $24.07 $20.40
Top $30.00 $40.57 $35.77 $35.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
80%
80%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
59%
59%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
6%
6%
Vacancy Rate
2%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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

National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators (NACOR) website: nacor.ca

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

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

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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