How to Become An Optician in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 1,860 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $55,820 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 Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in Virginia
How to become an optician in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Optician License. The licensing authority is the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for opticians in Virginia is $55,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,360 and experienced professionals can earn $77,460 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 Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians
- Median wage (Virginia): $55,820 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Optician License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians oversees optician licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Optician License | The Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians licenses: Individuals who test and fit hearing aids, and Individuals who fit and sell prescription glasses and contact lenses. |
Additional Requirements
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Optician Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,080 | $59,520 | $57,120 | $37,100 | $78,010 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 400 | $52,390 | $53,690 | $35,870 | $68,760 |
| Richmond | 310 | $55,020 | $53,960 | $36,440 | $71,240 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 110 | $38,510 | $44,860 | $32,490 | $67,550 |
| Roanoke | 90 | $52,650 | $52,900 | $36,010 | $66,030 |
| Charlottesville | 60 | $57,140 | $56,510 | $37,370 | $75,360 |
| Lynchburg | 50 | $48,890 | $51,950 | $37,440 | $68,740 |
| Winchester | 40 | $58,190 | $58,500 | $43,770 | $77,460 |
| Harrisonburg | 30 | $62,980 | $59,730 | $40,970 | $79,090 |
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 Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 400 | $52,390 |
| Richmond | 310 | $55,020 |
| Roanoke | 90 | $52,650 |
| Charlottesville | 60 | $57,140 |
| Lynchburg | 50 | $48,890 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 1,860 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do opticians earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Virginia is $55,820, which is $9,260 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
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation - Board for Hearing Aid Specialists and Opticians - Licensing Information: https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/Boards/HAS-Opticians/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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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) |