How to Become an Optician in Hawaii (2026)

Q: How long does optician training take in Hawaii?

Most people become an Optician in Hawaii through an opticianry program or apprenticeship where the state uses one, then a dispensing-optician license in states that license the trade.

Q: How much do opticians earn in Hawaii?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), opticians in Hawaii earned a median annual wage of approximately $75,300. Employment concentration in Hawaii is roughly 0.38 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for opticians in Hawaii?

Hawaii currently employs approximately 110 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.9% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Hawaii opticians, dispensing earn a median annual wage of $75,300 ($36.20/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 110 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 59.3% above the national median of $47,260 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $75,300 ($36.20/hr)
25th percentile: $58,310 per year
75th percentile: $76,940 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,910 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $41,080 per year
Workers employed in Hawaii: 110
Versus national median: 59.3% above the U.S. median of $47,260
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.38 - this occupation is less concentrated in Hawaii than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Hawaii employs about 110 opticians earning a median $75,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Optician here means completing an opticianry program or apprenticeship where the state uses one, then a dispensing-optician license in states that license the trade. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Hawaii employs approximately 110 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $75,300 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 Hawaii, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: opticianry program or state-recognized apprentice path (find programs)
Typical timeline: an opticianry program or apprenticeship where the state uses one, then a dispensing-optician license in states that license the trade
Exam: ABO-NCLE and/or the state dispensing-optician exam
Median wage (Hawaii): $75,300 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in Hawaii

How to become an Optician in Hawaii? Complete an opticianry program or apprenticeship where the state uses one, then a dispensing-optician license in states that license the trade. Apply through the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish an opticianry program or apprenticeship where the state uses one, then a dispensing-optician license in states that license the trade. Confirm current hour totals with the program and the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do opticians earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for opticians in Hawaii is $75,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,080 and experienced professionals can earn $80,910 or more ¹.

How to Become an Optician in Hawaii

Meet entry rules. Confirm age and education with the program and employer. Do not treat minimum age as years of work.
Complete an opticianry program or recognized apprentice path. Some states use a two-year program; others use a board-registered apprentice path. That is not a DAS construction apprenticeship.
Pass ABO-NCLE or the state exam. Confirm which exam the program and employer requires.
Apply for the dispensing-optician license. Apply to the program and employer in states that license opticians. Do not treat optometrist rows as the optician path.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Optician License Requirements in Hawaii

Dispensing opticians are licensed in some states. The path is an opticianry program or board apprentice route, then the state exam. Optometrist licenses are a different occupation.

Typical path

Complete an opticianry program or board apprentice path.
Pass the required exam.
Apply to the program and employer where the state licenses opticians.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Optician Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Hawaii vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu	90	$75,300	$67,740	$41,080	$80,910

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for opticians in Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 110 opticians ¹. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as an optician in Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Hawaii? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Hawaii.

How much do opticians earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Hawaii is $75,300, which is $28,740 above the national median of $46,560 according to BLS data ¹.

In Hawaii

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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)