How to Become an Optician in Iowa (2026)
Iowa employs about 920 opticians earning a median $44,480 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.
Key Facts
- Median wage (Iowa): $44,480/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Iowa: 920 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 1.25x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 2.9% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Optician Schools in Iowa
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Front Range Community College | 61.3 | Contact school for pricing | $50,353 | 32% | Yes* | 636 mi |
| 2 | Roane State Community College | 59.9 | Contact school for pricing | $45,998 | Not reported | Yes* | 646 mi |
| 3 | Indian Hills Community College | 56.1 | Contact school for pricing | $50,322 | Not reported | Yes* | 105 mi |
| 4 | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College | 50.7 | Contact school for pricing | $59,235 | 18% | Yes* | 509 mi |
| 5 | Elgin Community College | 50.2 | Contact school for pricing | $54,220 | 41% | — | 255 mi |
| 6 | Universal Technical Institute-Canton | 50.1 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | Not reported | — | 501 mi |
| 7 | Ivy Tech Community College | 49.2 | $5,154 - $15,370 | $53,369 | 38% | Yes* | 412 mi |
| 8 | Iowa Western Community College | 48.3 | Contact school for pricing | $51,139 | Not reported | Yes* | 152 mi |
| 9 | Cuyahoga Community College District | 47.6 | Contact school for pricing | $49,698 | 30% | Yes* | 598 mi |
| 10 | College of Lake County | 47.4 | $4,788 - $14,400 | $52,821 | 38% | — | 268 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Iowa employs approximately 920 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,480 1. The state’s concentration of optician jobs is 1.25x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Iowa, 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 (Iowa): $44,480 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in Iowa
How to become an Optician in Iowa? 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 Iowa? Yes. Iowa typically registers this role through the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do opticians earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for opticians in Iowa is $44,480 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,270 and experienced professionals can earn $53,790 or more 1.
How to Become an Optician in Iowa
- 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 Iowa
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 Iowa
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Iowa
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Iowa vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 340 | $43,340 | $44,930 | $37,530 | $56,280 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | 240 | $46,080 | $46,550 | $38,570 | $56,740 |
| Cedar Rapids | 90 | $45,090 | $44,000 | $37,430 | $50,270 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 90 | $42,070 | $44,340 | $35,650 | $55,360 |
| Iowa City | 50 | $46,000 | $49,800 | $38,110 | $76,850 |
| Sioux City | 50 | $38,330 | $42,200 | $35,360 | $56,010 |
| Ames | 40 | $40,860 | $43,350 | $36,650 | $50,670 |
| Dubuque | 40 | $45,560 | $46,130 | $38,060 | $56,200 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | 30 | $44,930 | $43,930 | $37,140 | $50,500 |
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 Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 920 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Iowa with an out-of-state license? Contact the program and employer for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Iowa? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Iowa.
How much do opticians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Iowa is $44,480, which is $2,080 below the national median of $46,560 according to BLS data 1.
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In Iowa
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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) |