How to Become An Optician in Arizona
Arizona employs approximately 1,400 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,210 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an optician in Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Optician in Arizona
How do I become an optician in Arizona? Arizona requires credentials such as Dispensing Optician. The licensing authority is the Board of Dispensing Opticians 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Arizona? Yes. Arizona has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The Board of Dispensing Opticians oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for opticians in Arizona is $48,210 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,890 and experienced professionals can earn $75,300 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Board of Dispensing Opticians
- Median wage (Arizona): $48,210 per year 1
Optician License Requirements in Arizona
The Board of Dispensing Opticians oversees optician licensing in Arizona 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dispensing Optician | Reference: ARS 32-1682 |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Arizona
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Arizona vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 990 | $48,530 | $53,830 | $40,890 | $75,300 |
| Tucson | 170 | $46,930 | $52,820 | $38,000 | $75,300 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 50 | $48,450 | $49,880 | $36,500 | $73,900 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 50 | $48,440 | $52,570 | $39,680 | $70,830 |
| Yuma | 30 | $49,610 | $52,370 | $37,440 | $77,000 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Opticians in Arizona
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Arizona according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | 990 | $48,530 |
| Tucson | 170 | $46,930 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | 50 | $48,450 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | 50 | $48,440 |
| Yuma | 30 | $49,610 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 1,400 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Arizona with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Dispensing Opticians for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arizona.
How much do opticians earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Arizona is $48,210, which is $1,650 above the national median of $46,560 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Dispensing Opticians - Licensing Information: https://elicense.az.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |