How to Become an Optician in Texas (2026)
Texas employs about 6,700 opticians earning a median $38,720 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most opticians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Texas.
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Compare Optician Schools in Texas
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwest Vista College | 61.0 | $3,412 - $11,932 | $46,909 | 32% | Yes* | 132 mi |
| 2 | Universal Technical Institute of Texas Inc. | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $57,080 | Not reported | — | 170 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.
Texas employs approximately 6,700 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,720 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 Texas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Texas
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Texas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Texas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 2,070 | $46,030 | $45,600 | $34,520 | $58,240 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 1,660 | $38,050 | $41,530 | $29,490 | $50,080 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 610 | $45,590 | $46,290 | $35,970 | $62,410 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 600 | $38,090 | $41,220 | $32,100 | $52,810 |
| Corpus Christi | 150 | $35,300 | $38,690 | $25,600 | $51,560 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | 120 | $34,860 | $36,260 | $25,520 | $45,500 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | 100 | $36,420 | $38,150 | $29,870 | $48,030 |
| El Paso | 100 | $37,120 | $38,770 | $29,850 | $47,150 |
| Lubbock | 90 | $36,790 | $38,700 | $24,650 | $48,260 |
| Amarillo | 70 | $41,710 | $43,320 | $34,110 | $51,110 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | 70 | $35,110 | $37,900 | $28,390 | $48,500 |
| Killeen-Temple | 60 | $37,440 | $40,810 | $31,600 | $49,330 |
| Longview | 60 | $37,760 | $39,250 | $31,000 | $44,460 |
| Waco | 60 | $34,520 | $35,160 | $29,940 | $42,200 |
| College Station-Bryan | 50 | $38,510 | $40,600 | $31,300 | $46,120 |
| Odessa | 50 | $40,570 | $41,880 | $32,060 | $58,130 |
| Tyler | 50 | $35,310 | $37,030 | $29,700 | $47,140 |
| Laredo | 40 | $34,960 | $36,980 | $24,490 | $63,890 |
| Midland | 40 | $38,080 | $42,270 | $33,980 | $53,100 |
| Texarkana | 40 | $39,920 | $41,180 | $32,360 | $65,370 |
| Victoria | 40 | $34,280 | $34,270 | $28,030 | $42,980 |
| Wichita Falls | 40 | $36,710 | $38,250 | $29,800 | $47,350 |
| Abilene | 30 | $37,920 | $39,330 | $30,410 | $47,380 |
| San Angelo | 30 | $35,810 | $36,890 | $30,660 | $42,540 |
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.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (Texas): $38,720 per year 1
Quick Answers About Becoming An Optician in Texas
How do I become an optician in Texas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for opticians in Texas.
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.
What do opticians earn in Texas? The median annual wage for opticians in Texas is $38,720 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,970 and experienced professionals can earn $58,240 or more 1.
Top Metros for Opticians in Texas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Texas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | 2,070 | $46,030 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | 1,660 | $38,050 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | 610 | $45,590 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | 600 | $38,090 |
| Corpus Christi | 150 | $35,300 |
How to Become an Optician in Texas
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Texas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an accredited trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Texas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Pass the required examination and obtain the Texas optician license before working unsupervised.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 6,700 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Texas.
How much do opticians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Texas is $38,720, which is $7,840 below the national median of $46,560 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |