How to Become An Optician in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 690 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,880 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 Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in Arkansas
How to become an optician in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Dispensing Optician, Dispensing Optician Apprentice. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dispensing Opticians 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 21 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dispensing Opticians oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for opticians in Arkansas is $42,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,100 and experienced professionals can earn $73,890 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: Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dispensing Opticians
- Median wage (Arkansas): $42,880 per year 1
Optician License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dispensing Opticians oversees optician licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dispensing Optician | Dispensing Opticians design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. |
| Dispensing Optician Apprentice | Apprentice Dispensing Opticians, working under the supervision of a licensed or registered dispensing optician, a physician skilled in the disease of the eye, or an optometrist; design, measure, fit,… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 220 | $47,620 | $49,320 | $32,870 | $76,850 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 200 | $43,280 | $49,320 | $32,360 | $74,450 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 150 | $46,020 | $48,950 | $30,110 | $75,010 |
| Fort Smith | 70 | $37,370 | $45,450 | $30,740 | $73,300 |
| Jonesboro | 50 | $36,260 | $38,260 | $29,410 | $51,570 |
| Texarkana | 40 | $39,920 | $41,180 | $32,360 | $65,370 |
| Hot Springs | 30 | $45,790 | $49,570 | $33,610 | $74,450 |
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 .
Top Metros for Opticians in Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 200 | $43,280 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 150 | $46,020 |
| Fort Smith | 70 | $37,370 |
| Jonesboro | 50 | $36,260 |
| Hot Springs | 30 | $45,790 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 690 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dispensing Opticians for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.
How much do opticians earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Arkansas is $42,880, which is $3,680 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dispensing Opticians - Licensing Information: https://www.abdo.arkansas.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) |