How to Become An Optician in New Jersey
New Jersey employs approximately 2,010 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $72,460 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 New Jersey, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in New Jersey
How to become an optician in New Jersey? New Jersey requires credentials such as OPHTHALMIC, DISPENSER (Optician). The licensing authority is the Department of Law and Public Safety - Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians 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 New Jersey? Yes. New Jersey has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The Department of Law and Public Safety - Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for opticians in New Jersey is $72,460 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,110 and experienced professionals can earn $85,020 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: Department of Law and Public Safety - Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians
- Median wage (New Jersey): $72,460 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Optician License Requirements in New Jersey
The Department of Law and Public Safety - Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians oversees optician licensing in New Jersey 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| OPHTHALMIC, DISPENSER (Optician) |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 3,460 | $71,050 | $67,940 | $43,060 | $85,050 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 1,070 | $49,300 | $53,620 | $37,900 | $74,270 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 150 | $48,190 | $50,680 | $37,780 | $70,280 |
| Trenton-Princeton | 100 | $67,110 | $66,760 | $43,960 | $83,930 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 70 | $72,290 | $66,420 | $53,770 | $77,370 |
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 New Jersey
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within New Jersey according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton | 100 | $67,110 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 70 | $72,290 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 2,010 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in New Jersey with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Law and Public Safety - Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in New Jersey.
How much do opticians earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in New Jersey is $72,460, which is $25,900 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Law and Public Safety - Board of Examiners of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians - Licensing Information: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/oph/Pages/default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |