How to Become An Optician in Georgia
Georgia employs approximately 2,290 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,010 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 Georgia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in Georgia
How to become an optician in Georgia? Georgia requires credentials such as Dispensing Optician, Dispensing Optician Apprentice. The licensing authority is the Georgia 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 18 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Georgia? Yes. Georgia has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Georgia? The median annual wage for opticians in Georgia is $48,010 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,800 and experienced professionals can earn $74,120 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: Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians
- Median wage (Georgia): $48,010 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Optician License Requirements in Georgia
The Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians oversees optician licensing in Georgia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Dispensing Optician | Applicant requirements: 18 years of age high school diploma or its equivalent good moral character satisfactorily complete one school year of not less than an 850-hour course of study in a recognized… |
| Dispensing Optician Apprentice | Applicant requirements: 18 years of age high school diploma or its equivalent good moral character satisfactorily complete one school year of not less than an 850-hour course of study in a recognized… |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 1,380 | $51,890 | $56,350 | $38,160 | $75,300 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 150 | $44,700 | $49,520 | $35,330 | $70,960 |
| Chattanooga | 130 | $47,140 | $49,920 | $36,180 | $68,520 |
| Savannah | 100 | $46,440 | $51,210 | $37,300 | $71,580 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 70 | $46,250 | $50,500 | $36,070 | $75,300 |
| Columbus | 70 | $39,450 | $45,640 | $31,710 | $63,650 |
| Gainesville | 50 | $45,310 | $50,050 | $36,950 | $65,950 |
| Albany | 40 | $39,670 | $43,460 | $32,090 | $57,040 |
| Warner Robins | 40 | $44,870 | $46,190 | $36,380 | $63,090 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 30 | $44,810 | $48,180 | $35,310 | $63,660 |
| Valdosta | 30 | $44,220 | $47,440 | $30,840 | $64,590 |
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 Georgia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Georgia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 1,380 | $51,890 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 150 | $44,700 |
| Savannah | 100 | $46,440 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 70 | $46,250 |
| Columbus | 70 | $39,450 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Georgia? Georgia currently employs approximately 2,290 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Georgia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Georgia.
How much do opticians earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Georgia is $48,010, which is $1,450 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Georgia State Board of Dispensing Opticians - Licensing Information: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |