Becoming an Optician in Ohio

Growth in careers for opticians in Ohio is strong and will continue to grow for years to come. For an exciting, rewarding and secure career in healthcare, working as a dispensing optician is a great choice. In Ohio there are specific requirements for education, training and licensing, but it only takes a couple of years to be ready to be licensed and to become a working professional in this field.[En Español]

Licensing for Opticians in Ohio

Opticians work in settings in which patients and customers are getting lens prescriptions filled, selecting eyeglass frames, and learning how to use their contact lenses. Opticians need to know how lenses work, how to fill prescriptions, how to fix frames and so much more. For this reason, Ohio requires that opticians be licensed as a way to prove they have the knowledge and expertise needed to help patients.

The Ohio Vision Professionals Board is responsible for licensing opticians. There are three possible paths you can take to qualify for licensing:

• Complete an optician degree or certificate program at an Ohio school
• Train as an optician apprentice for two years, including at least 1,000 hours of work supervised by a licensed dispensing optician
• Complete two years of work, with at least 1,000 hours under the supervision of an ophthalmologist or optometrist

National Optician Certification in Ohio

In addition to completing at least one of these options, you must also be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You must also pass the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Contact Lens Registry Examination and the American Board of Opticians examination as well as a background check when applying for an Ohio optician license.

National Contact Lens Examiners Examination

To become an optician in Ohio, you must pass the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Contact Lens Registry Examination. This exam tests your knowledge of contact lens fitting, design theory, and safety issues related to wearing contact lenses. You will be tested on topics such as proper fit measurements for different types of contact lenses, how to troubleshoot any fit problems that may arise, how to properly care for and maintain contact lenses, and the various types of material used for contact lenses. You must have a passing score on this exam to be eligible for an Ohio optician license.

American Board of Opticians Examination

The American Board of Opticians (ABO) exam is a comprehensive certification exam for opticians. This test covers all areas of the profession and gauges your understanding of contact lens theory, optics, frame fitting and fabrication, lens fabrication, ophthalmic optics laws, ocular anatomy and diseases, clinical procedures, patient education, and communication skills. To qualify to take the ABO exam, you must have completed the required training and/or education, as determined by the Ohio Vision Professionals Board.

Optician Certification Training Programs

An apprenticeship is a valid path to becoming an optician in Ohio, but it is also possible to get the knowledge you need and to be prepared to pass the required examinations by completing an appropriate education program.

• Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland. In Cleveland, you can choose from either a certificate or an associate degree program in optical technology to learn how to become an optician. The certificate takes just one year to complete, with 32 credits, while the degree program is two years and includes 62 credits.
• Hocking College, New Lexington. Hocking in southeast Ohio also offers a two-year associate degree program in opticianry. The courses are offered in the evenings to allow students to work during the day. Those who complete the program are prepared to pass the national exams and apply for state licensing.
• Mercy College, Toledo. An alternative but similar career option is to work as an ophthalmic assistant. These healthcare professionals work with and assist ophthalmologists or eye doctors. Mercy College offers a 32-week program to train students to be ready to work in the field and pass the Certified Ophthalmic Assistant examination.

Outlook and Salaries for Opticians in Ohio

Working as a dispensing Optician in Ohio is a smart career move right now, as the number of jobs available is growing and will continue to rise over the coming years. From 3,170 employed opticians in 2020, there are expected to be 3,260 in 2030. The state will need 250 more qualified, licensed opticians to fill those positions. Growth is even stronger for ophthalmic technicians and assistants in Ohio.

Training to become an optician is well worth the salary you can expect to earn. The average annual salary for Ohio opticians in 2021 was $45,850, although there are opportunities to make more with experience. Ophthalmic assistants in the state earned $36,640 in 2020, while optometrists made $102,000 because they receive years of additional training.

Salaries in Ohio by Occupation

Profession	Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Wage
Opticians, Dispensing	3,240	$18.08	$37,600
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	1,910	$17.59	$36,600
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	1,150	$14.50	$30,160
Optometrists	1,210	$65.96	$137,200

Certified Dispensing Optician Salaries in Ohio by Region

Region	Total Employment	Mean Hourly Wage	Mean Annual Salary	10% Percentile	25% Percentile	Median	75% Percentile	90% Percentile
Akron, OH	120	$19.25	$40,030	$32,210	$34,810	$39,120	$45,700	$50,700
Canton-Massillon, OH	100	$16.48	$34,280	$24,390	$27,430	$33,420	$39,160	$48,140
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	490	$18.83	$39,180	$26,670	$30,530	$38,910	$46,210	$50,650
Cleveland-Elyria, OH	630	$18.91	$39,330	$32,320	$34,550	$38,270	$44,540	$49,550
Columbus, OH	710	$18.02	$37,470	$25,410	$30,300	$38,190	$44,980	$49,300
Dayton, OH	240	$17.50	$36,400	$23,860	$29,650	$36,990	$43,540	$48,470
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH	**	$15.75	$32,760	$21,470	$24,590	$30,200	$39,550	$48,860
Lima, OH	**	$19.25	$40,040	$32,960	$35,170	$38,860	$44,720	$49,340
Mansfield, OH	90	$19.35	$40,260	$29,720	$34,040	$40,150	$45,870	$49,220
Toledo, OH	210	$17.52	$36,430	$26,640	$31,480	$35,920	$40,830	$48,850
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA	190	$17.53	$36,470	$24,300	$31,760	$36,240	$41,240	$49,200

Working as an Optician in Ohio

Job opportunities for licensed opticians in Ohio are plentiful and are continuing to grow. If you train to become an optician now, you will most likely work in an optometry practice. Retail stores are also big employers for opticians, including any type of store that sells eyeglasses and fills prescriptions for lenses. Other possible employers are ophthalmologists and other physicians in their private practices, hospitals, and clinics. In just two years you could be a licensed optician in Ohio, with your pick of great jobs helping people.

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See options in Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Michigan.

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Optician careers in Ohio: what you need to know

Ohio employs about 2,960 dispensing opticians statewide, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That number matters to you because it shows a real, established job market, not a niche role you’d struggle to find work in. If you are thinking about this career path, Ohio gives you solid ground to start on.

This page covers wages, training programs, licensing, and the steps you need to take to work as an optician in Ohio.

What opticians actually do

A dispensing optician (also called an ophthalmic dispenser) takes a prescription written by an eye doctor and turns it into the glasses or contact lenses a patient wears. You measure the patient’s face, help them pick frames, order the lenses, and make sure the finished eyewear fits correctly. The job mixes customer service with technical work. You spend time at a computer entering orders, at a workbench adjusting frames, and face-to-face with patients every day.

Some opticians also work alongside ophthalmologists (eye surgeons or eye doctors) as ophthalmic medical technicians. That is a related but separate role. It involves more clinical tasks like measuring eye pressure, testing visual fields, and preparing patients for procedures. The two careers pay differently and require different training, so it helps to know which one you are aiming for before you enroll in a program.

Ohio optician salary: what the data shows

According to BLS May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage for dispensing opticians in Ohio is $50,500. That means half of Ohio opticians earn more than that, and half earn less. The middle range, from the 25th to the 75th percentile, runs from $40,620 to $60,430. The top 10 percent of earners in this role reach $65,280 or more per year.

Entry-level pay is lower. The bottom 10 percent of Ohio dispensing opticians earn around $35,830 annually. That figure reflects workers just starting out, often those still building their certification and client skills.

Pay typically grows as you add years of experience, specialize in areas like low-vision aids or specialty contact lens fitting, or move into a supervisory or practice-management role.

How optician pay compares to ophthalmic medical technician pay

If you are weighing your options between these two career paths, wages are an important factor. BLS May 2025 OEWS data shows that ophthalmic medical technicians in Ohio earn a median of $40,350 per year. That is about $10,000 less per year than the median dispensing optician wage in the state.

The 75th percentile for ophthalmic medical technicians in Ohio is $48,130, which is still below the median wage for dispensing opticians. At the top end (90th percentile), ophthalmic medical technicians earn $53,420. That figure is also below the 75th percentile for dispensing opticians.

Neither career is better than the other. They suit different interests. But if earning potential is a top priority for you, the dispensing optician path has a higher ceiling in Ohio based on current data.

Wage growth across a dispensing optician career

The gap between entry and experienced pay is meaningful. Moving from the 10th percentile ($35,830) to the 75th percentile ($60,430) represents a difference of nearly $25,000 per year. Experience, certification, and specialization are the main drivers of that growth. Completing your ABO-NCLE certification (the national exam that tests your opticianry knowledge and contact lens skills) often makes you eligible for higher-paying positions and can make you more competitive when employers are hiring.

Licensing and certification in Ohio

Ohio does not require a state license to practice as a dispensing optician. This puts it in the category of states with no mandatory state licensure for this role. However, many employers prefer or require you to hold national certification through the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners, commonly called ABO-NCLE.

Earning ABO-NCLE certification means passing two exams: one covering ophthalmic optics and dispensing (the ABO exam) and one covering contact lenses (the NCLE exam). You can sit for these exams through a combination of work experience and formal education, depending on the path you choose. Certified opticians typically display their credentials in optical shops and clinics as a signal to patients and employers that they have met a national standard.

Even without a state license requirement, getting certified is a practical step. It makes you more hirable, often means higher starting pay, and gives you credentials that transfer if you ever move to a state that does require licensure.

Optician training programs in Ohio

Formal training programs give you the technical foundation for the ABO-NCLE exams and the hands-on skills employers expect. Ohio has both two-year associate degree programs and on-the-job apprenticeship paths. The programs listed below are drawn from verified institutional data.

Cuyahoga Community College District, Cleveland

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) runs an opticianry program in Cleveland. This is one of the few dedicated opticianry programs in Ohio that leads to an associate degree. The program covers ophthalmic optics, lens design, frame selection, contact lens fitting, and laboratory skills. Completing a formal program like this prepares you to sit for the ABO-NCLE exams through the national certification route.

Tri-C is part of the Cuyahoga Community College District and has multiple campuses in the Cleveland area. Check directly with the program for current enrollment dates, tuition, and prerequisite requirements, as these details change each term.

Ohio State University, Columbus

Ohio State University in Columbus has a program in this field through its graduate and professional admissions pathway. OSU is a large research university, and its ophthalmic-related training connects students to clinical environments and research settings that smaller programs may not have. Visit the program page directly to confirm current admission requirements and program structure, as large universities update their offerings regularly.

What to look for in any training program

Not every program is the same. Before you apply, ask each program a few direct questions.

• Does the program prepare you specifically for the ABO-NCLE exams?
• Does it include hands-on lab time with real equipment?
• What is the program length, and can you attend part time if you are working?
• Does the program have relationships with local optical employers for externships or job placement?
• What is the total cost, including fees and equipment?

A program that checks all of those boxes will give you a stronger start than one that only covers classroom theory. Hands-on experience matters because the ABO-NCLE exams test practical knowledge, and employers want to see that you can do the job, not just describe it.

The apprenticeship path

If you prefer to learn while working, some Ohio employers hire opticianry trainees and provide on-the-job training that counts toward ABO-NCLE eligibility. This path typically takes longer than a formal program, often two to four years of supervised work experience before you are eligible to sit for the exams. The advantage is that you earn a wage while you train. The trade-off is that the quality of training depends heavily on your employer and supervisor.

If you go this route, make sure your employer is willing to give you time and support to study for the national exams. Some apprenticeship employers actively help their trainees prepare. Others do not. Ask about this before you accept a position.

Day-to-day work environment

Most Ohio opticians work in retail optical shops, ophthalmology practices, or optometry offices. Some work in hospitals or vision clinics. The work is mostly indoors, on your feet, and involves close contact with the public. You will handle small, precise equipment and work with patients who may be anxious about their vision or frustrated with the cost of eyewear. Good communication skills matter as much as technical accuracy in this job.

Ohio’s major metro areas (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Akron, and Toledo) have the highest concentrations of optical employers and the most job openings. If you are willing to work in a larger city, your options are wider. Smaller cities and rural areas have fewer positions but sometimes less competition for open roles.

Next steps

If you are ready to move forward, start by comparing the programs above. Request current enrollment information directly from Cuyahoga Community College and Ohio State University. Ask each program about its ABO-NCLE exam preparation, hands-on training hours, and total program cost. Then check the ABO-NCLE website for the current eligibility requirements for each exam pathway so you know exactly what you are working toward before you enroll.