Opticians

Opticians

NOC
32100

assist with eyeglass frame selection, take measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses to match prescriptions, and fit clients with final eyeglasses and contact lenses.

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Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Good
Good

3-Year Job Openings

14
 

Median Hourly Wage

$19.91
$17.00
Low
$30.10
High

Average Salary

$48,000
 

Typically Required

College or apprenticeship

Employed

288
 
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Job details

Full NOC Description

Opticians assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, take the necessary measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses, mount lenses in eyeglass frames and fit clients with final prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.

Main Duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and take necessary measurements including the curvature of the eyes, the accurate position of the pupils and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
  • Advice clients on eyeglasses selection by informing them of different products such as lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
  • Adjust contact lenses and inform client on use and care
  • Grind, polish, cut and edge lenses or have them made by a laboratory before inserting them into the frame
  • Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
  • May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.

    • Also Known As

    • contact lens fitter
    • contact lens practitioner
    • dispensing optician
    • licensed optician
    • optician
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    Requirements

    Employment Requirements

    Completion of a two- or three-year college program in ophthalmic dispensing or optical sciences is required.
  • Licensing by a regulatory body for opticians is required in all provinces.
  • Licensing requirements for scope of practice and protected titles related to the sale or dispensing and fitting of contact lenses vary by province.

    • Provincial Regulation

    • Provincially Regulated: Yes

    Regulation Body

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    Employment by Sex

    The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

    Data legend

    82.4%
    Female
    17.6%
    Male
    Employment by age

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

    Data legend

    17.6%
    15-24
    23.5%
    25-34
    21.6%
    35-44
    19.6%
    45-54
    13.7%
    55-64
    3.9%
    65+
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    Employment by highest level of education

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

    Data legend

    0.0%
    No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
    0.0%
    High School, Diploma or Equivalent
    9.8%
    Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
    0.0%
    College or University Below Bachelor Level
    0.0%
    University - Bachelor Level or Above
    Employment by Industry

    The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

    Data legend

    72.5%
    Retail trade
    25.5%
    Health care and social assistance
    N/A
    N/A
    2.0%
    All Other Industries
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    Employment by Economic Regions

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

    Data legend

    15.70%
    Northeast
    41.20%
    Southeast
    15.70%
    Southwest
    19.60%
    Central
    N/A
    Northwest
    Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

    Economic Regions

    The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

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    Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

    The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

    Data legend

    N/A
    Northeast
    $40,000
    Southeast
    N/A
    Southwest
    $56,000
    Central
    N/A
    Northwest
    Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

    Economic Regions

    The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

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    Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

    The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

    Northeast

    $23.43
    $20.46
    Low
    $28.71
    High

    Southeast

    $23.32
    $18.77
    Low
    $28.89
    High

    Southwest

    $23.85
    $19.17
    Low
    $30.14
    High

    Central

    $22.79
    $19.14
    Low
    $30.49
    High
    No Data Available
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    Salary

    The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

    New Brunswick

    $48,000

    Newfoundland

    $52,000

    Prince Edward Island

    $50,000

    Nova Scotia

    $50,000

    Canada

    $56,100
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    Employment Outlook

    The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

    Three Year Outlook

    Total Openings: 3-Year

    14
     

    New Jobs: 3-Year

    -7
     

    Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

    21
     

    Ten Year Outlook

    Total Openings: 10-Year

    77
     

    New Jobs: 10-Year

    13
     

    Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

    65
     
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