Becoming an Optician in Vermont
Opticians can be found working in vision center chains, hospitals, clinics and private optometry and ophthalmology practices, helping customers fill vision prescriptions and pick out new frames, educating them on vision care options and even cutting and fitting frames and lenses in the lab, depending on the employment location. Due to the customer-focused nature of the job, opticians are usually outgoing and genuinely enjoy customer service as well as helping others.[En Español]
Licensing for Opticians in Vermont
Licensing in Vermont requires prospective opticians to meet certain training and exam criteria. The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation offers two ways for individuals to become a licensed optician. To become licensed, you will need to either:
- Take and pass an associate’s degree program in Opticianry or Vision Care Technology
- Complete a three-year apprenticeship under a licensed optician
Those who opt for the apprenticeship route will first need to register with the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. Upon completing a degree program or three-year apprenticeship you will be ready to take the the National Optician Competency Examination (NOCE) offered through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation in addition to the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) exam and National Contact Lens Examiner’s (NCLE) exam.
Optician licenses in Vermont will need to be renewed every two years. Additionally, licensed opticians are required to complete at least 10 continuing education credits every two years.
Penn Foster Career School- Optician Career Diploma program
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.
Vermont Optician Programs
The New England area does not offer many post-secondary educational programs for opticians, so many people in Vermont opt for a three-year apprenticeship under a licensed optician. Before becoming an apprentice, you will need to fill out an Optician Training Application and submit the required $50 fee along with the application.
While there are no on-campus optician program offerings in Vermont, the Penn Foster Career School offers an online Optician Career Diploma Program that can be completed in as little as seven months. While this particular program will provide you with the skills necessary to become a licensed optician, you will still need to complete an apprenticeship under a licensed optician.
Outlook and Salaries for Opticians in Vermont
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were approximately 80 people employed as opticians in Vermont in 2017. Additionally, there were 260 people working as ophthalmic medical technicians and 100 employed optometrists in the same year. It’s predicted that jobs for licensed opticians in the state of Vermont will grow by 6.3 percent through the year 2024.
In 2017, the average salary for licensed opticians in Vermont was $44,330 per year. Ophthalmic medical technicians made approximately $42,270 annually, while optometrists earned an average of $117,839 in the same year.
Salaries in Vermont by Occupation
| Profession | Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opticians, Dispensing | 80 | $21.31 | $44,330 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | 260 | $20.32 | $42,270 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians | 90 | $24.71 | $51,390 |
| Optometrists | 100 | * | * |
Certified Dispensing Optician Salaries in Vermont by Region
| Region | Total Employment | Mean Hourly Wage | Mean Annual Salary | 10% Percentile | 25% Percentile | Median | 75% Percentile | 90% Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | ** | $22.72 | $47,260 | $33,650 | $38,290 | $49,080 | $56,710 | $61,190 |
Working as an Optician in Vermont
While there were not many people working as licensed opticians in Vermont in 2017, job opportunities for opticians in the state will continue to flourish, especially in the Burlington, Essex, Colchester and South Burlington areas. Opticians can be found working in a variety of locations, but it’s most common for licensed opticians to be employed in private ophthalmic practices or retail vision chains such as Costco Vision Center and Walmart.
Neighbor States
Residents of Vermont may also wish to review their options in New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts.