There are currently an estimated 77,600 opticians in the United States. The optician job market is expected to grow by 15.1% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are opticians?
CareerExplorer rates opticians with a B employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 15,400 opticians. That number is based on 11,700 additional opticians, and the retirement of 3,700 existing opticians.
What’s the supply of opticians?
The optician industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Florida
Optician job market by state
| State Name | Employed Opticians |
|---|---|
| California | 7,600 |
| Texas | 6,100 |
| Florida | 4,900 |
| Michigan | 3,650 |
| New York | 3,440 |
| Illinois | 3,350 |
| Ohio | 3,240 |
| Pennsylvania | 2,970 |
| Indiana | 2,140 |
| Minnesota | 1,960 |
| Wisconsin | 1,900 |
| Arizona | 1,810 |
| North Carolina | 1,800 |
| Virginia | 1,780 |
| Tennessee | 1,760 |
| Massachusetts | 1,750 |
| Missouri | 1,590 |
| Georgia | 1,540 |
| New Jersey | 1,390 |
| Colorado | 1,370 |
| Washington | 1,280 |
| Oregon | 1,240 |
| Louisiana | 1,150 |
| Maryland | 1,130 |
| Alabama | 1,090 |
| South Carolina | 1,050 |
| Kentucky | 1,040 |
| Iowa | 910 |
| Oklahoma | 870 |
| Kansas | 840 |
| Nebraska | 810 |
| Puerto Rico | 790 |
| Connecticut | 720 |
| Utah | 710 |
| Nevada | 560 |
| New Hampshire | 550 |
| Arkansas | 520 |
| Idaho | 490 |
| Mississippi | 470 |
| South Dakota | 430 |
| Delaware | 390 |
| North Dakota | 390 |
| New Mexico | 390 |
| Maine | 370 |
| Montana | 350 |
| West Virginia | 310 |
| Hawaii | 300 |
| Rhode Island | 290 |
| Wyoming | 260 |
| Alaska | 130 |
| Vermont | 80 |