Also called: Optical Lab Technician, Lens Surfacer
Cuts, shapes, and coats eyeglass lenses so they match a prescription exactly.
You load lens blanks into computer-controlled generators that carve the prescription into the plastic, then polish, coat, and edge each lens to fit a frame. You inspect every pair with a lensometer before it ships.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; trained on the job.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Opticianry (2-year).
Shrinking (about -1% over 10 years).
High risk for 10 years. Lens labs are highly automated with robots that carve, coat and edge lenses; far fewer techs needed.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to optical labs for lens technician trainee jobs
Classes: Algebra, Manufacturing CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9083.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.