Becoming an Optician in Iowa
If you are looking for a new or first career in Iowa, and you enjoy working with and helping people, consider becoming an optician. There are no official licensing or educational requirements to work as an optician in the state, but getting a degree or certificate and gaining national certification is a smart way to be a more desirable job candidate. Once hired, you can expect to work hands-on with customers and patients, filling prescriptions and guiding the selection and fitting of frames.[En Español]
Optician Certification in Iowa
The prerequisite for getting optician certification in Iowa is to have a high school diploma. Some opticians acquire a certificate or degree in either opticians or ophthalmic dispensing, but it’s not mandatory. Opticians can earn certification through the American Board of Opticianry (ABO), which requires passing an exam and having proof of practical experience. It’s also beneficial to join the
Optician Certification Training Programs
To become an optician, you have a couple of options. One is to seek an entry-level position, during which you will train on the job under an optician, optometrist, physician, or ophthalmologist. Another option is to start with a post-secondary program that will prepare you to work as an optician and take the national certification exams. There are no campus-based optician training programs in Iowa, but there are a few other options:
- Penn Foster College. This online school offers a comprehensive program in optician studies that students anywhere in the state can access and complete. The coursework prepares graduates to work in the field and to pass the national-level certification exams.
- Meditec. Meditec is another online option that students in Iowa can choose and that will prepare graduates for jobs and certification. The program includes several lessons on eye anatomy, frames, and lenses, as well as courses on in-office procedures.
- Iowa Central Community College. Iowa Central has several campuses, and while there is no optician program, students here can begin a career path in optometry. Optometrists work with opticians and patients, providing eye exams and basic eye health care. The Iowa Central program is a two-year associate degree that prepares students to complete an optometry degree at a four-year institution.
Penn Foster College – Online Optician Exam Prep Career Diploma
Complete this program in as little as seven months. Format designed by board certified and state-licensed opticians. Opportunity to complete a practicum before graduation. The program will help you prepare for dispensing optician national certification exams, administered by ABO and the NCLE, by providing you with exam prep materials. Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
Licensing Requirements for Opticians in Iowa
Employers hire opticians to see that individuals are qualified, even though there is no licensing in Iowa. If you have completed an education program or received hands-on training through an apprenticeship or entry-level position, you should be prepared to pass the exams for national certification, which will help you land a great job by proving you have the skills and knowledge to do the work. Exams that are most widely recognized are offered through the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners.
American Board of Opticianry
The ABO offers a basic certification exam for opticians that includes five sections on topics such as optics, anatomy of the eye, lenses, and frames, contact lenses, tools, and instruments, and fitting and dispensing. The ABO certification exam results are available two weeks after taking the test. Those who pass are given a certification card and can use the designation “Certified Optician” after their name.
National Contact Lens Examiners
The National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) also offers a comprehensive exam for opticians who specialize in contact lenses. This exam covers topics like contact lenses, fitting and troubleshooting, and patient care. The exam is taken online and results are available within one to three weeks. Those who pass receive a certification card indicating they have passed the NCLE’s contact lens registration examination.
Outlook and Salaries for Opticians in Iowa
You can expect a great outlook in Iowa for becoming an optician. There will be plenty of job opportunities in the coming years for qualified individuals. The current rate of growth in the industry is nearly 19 percent. In 2020, there were 980 employed opticians in Iowa, and there will be 100 more positions by 2030. Employers will need qualified opticians to fill those roles.
The salaries for eye professionals in the state are competitive. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), opticians in Iowa made an average salary of $36,360 per year or $17.48 per hour in 2021. The highest salaries for opticians are in Iowa City, with an average annual income of $46,650. Ophthalmic medical technicians earned an average of $38,460, while optometrists earned $102,790.
Salaries in Iowa by Occupation
| Profession | Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opticians, Dispensing | 910 | $15.73 | $32,710 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 550 | $16.91 | $35,170 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 220 | $25.78 | $53,630 |
| Optometrists | 440 | $62.88 | $130,780 |
Certified Dispensing Optician Salaries in Iowa by Region
| Region | Total Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary | 10% Percentile | 25% Percentile | Median | 75% Percentile | 90% Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames, IA | ** | $15.30 | $31,830 | $25,650 | $27,920 | $31,960 | $36,020 | $38,410 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 110 | $16.08 | $33,450 | $23,870 | $28,190 | $33,650 | $38,400 | $44,890 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 80 | $14.29 | $29,720 | $22,140 | $25,040 | $28,990 | $34,630 | $38,560 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 230 | $14.65 | $30,470 | $21,430 | $23,750 | $27,590 | $36,920 | $46,020 |
| Iowa City, IA | 40 | $19.31 | $40,160 | $25,130 | $30,280 | $40,670 | $49,700 | $57,740 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 350 | $17.38 | $36,160 | $22,100 | $27,680 | $36,550 | $44,960 | $49,660 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 70 | $16.30 | $33,890 | $24,260 | $27,570 | $33,480 | $39,770 | $46,840 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 40 | $16.44 | $34,190 | $26,910 | $29,890 | $34,520 | $38,290 | $40,910 |
Working as an Optician in Iowa
Most opticians in Iowa and other states work in optometry practices. They work under optometrists, filling prescriptions, fitting customers for frames, and helping customers learn about their lenses and contacts. Other options for work as a qualified optician include positions in medical research laboratories, clinics, hospitals, and ophthalmology practices. Wherever you choose to work, your opportunities will be plentiful in Iowa in the coming years, so you will have your pick of jobs.
Neighbor States
Residents of Iowa may also wish to review their options in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.