How to Become An Optician in Florida
Florida employs approximately 5,080 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $58,850 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 Florida, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming An Optician in Florida
How do I become an optician in Florida? Florida requires credentials such as Optician. The licensing authority is the FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance 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 Florida? Yes. Florida has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Florida? The median annual wage for opticians in Florida is $58,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,510 and experienced professionals can earn $75,480 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: FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance
- Median wage (Florida): $58,850 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Optician License Requirements in Florida
The FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance oversees optician licensing in Florida 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Optician | Florida Statutes: Chapter 484, Part 1; Chapter 456; Chapter 120. Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.): Chapter 64B12; Chapter 64B29. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Florida
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Florida
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Florida vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 1,250 | $61,880 | $57,580 | $35,110 | $75,710 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 870 | $56,030 | $55,930 | $36,740 | $74,120 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 680 | $59,120 | $56,300 | $37,060 | $75,510 |
| Jacksonville | 380 | $57,000 | $56,370 | $36,930 | $77,440 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 240 | $59,800 | $57,650 | $37,010 | $78,060 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | 230 | $58,220 | $57,410 | $38,390 | $75,980 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven | 150 | $57,100 | $54,190 | $35,880 | $73,960 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville | 140 | $62,030 | $59,870 | $38,180 | $75,280 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent | 140 | $47,550 | $51,560 | $36,050 | $74,620 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach | 130 | $57,870 | $55,100 | $36,510 | $73,200 |
| Port St. Lucie | 110 | $61,150 | $58,510 | $37,370 | $75,690 |
| Ocala | 90 | $59,470 | $57,160 | $36,780 | $75,010 |
| Naples-Marco Island | 80 | $62,940 | $63,100 | $44,210 | $78,830 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | 70 | $57,780 | $57,100 | $37,780 | $77,120 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach | 70 | $51,060 | $52,920 | $33,230 | $73,440 |
| Punta Gorda | 60 | $60,360 | $56,670 | $37,310 | $74,310 |
| Tallahassee | 60 | $58,700 | $55,990 | $36,750 | $75,370 |
| Gainesville | 50 | $60,680 | $57,330 | $36,590 | $71,660 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor | 40 | $60,490 | $58,020 | $37,460 | $75,910 |
| Wildwood-The Villages | 30 | $57,670 | $55,550 | $35,870 | $74,170 |
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 Florida
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Florida according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | 1,250 | $61,880 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | 870 | $56,030 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | 680 | $59,120 |
| Jacksonville | 380 | $57,000 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers | 240 | $59,800 |
Explore More Trades in Florida
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Florida? Florida currently employs approximately 5,080 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Florida with an out-of-state license? Contact the FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Florida? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Florida.
How much do opticians earn in Florida compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Florida is $58,850, which is $12,290 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
FL Department of Health - Division of Medical Quality Assurance - Licensing Information: https://www.doh.state.fl.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |