optician 

Duties and responsibilities: As a dispensing optician you will dispense and fit spectacles and other optical aids, to both adults and children, working from the prescriptions written by optometrists and ophthalmologists. You'll advise patients on various types of lenses and spectacle frames, including style, weight and color. 

Salary: The median annual Optician salary is $43,425, as of February 22, 2017, with a range usually between $40,124-$52,367, however this can vary widely depending on a variety of factors. Our team of Certified Compensation Professionals has analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to present this range of annual salaries for people with the job title Optician in the United States. 

Education: While there are no specific educational requirements for an optician, an associate's or bachelor's degree in opticianry may offer a competitive advantage. Opticianry courses educate students in the anatomy and physiology of the human eye, optical fundamentals and refraction. Through clinical training, students also have opportunities to learn about polishing, hand beveling, heat treatment, tinting and fitting glasses. 

Demand or need for this profession: Increasing rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes may also increase demand for opticianry services because some chronic diseases cause vision problems. Additional opticians will be needed to fill prescriptions for corrective eyewear for individuals with conditions that damage their eyesight.