How to Become An Optician in Washington
Washington employs approximately 2,100 opticians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,220 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 Washington, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become an Optician in Washington
How to become an optician in Washington? Washington requires credentials such as Optician. The licensing authority is the Department of Health 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in Washington? Yes. Washington has licensing or registration requirements for opticians. The Department of Health oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do opticians earn in Washington? The median annual wage for opticians in Washington is $49,220 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $41,120 and experienced professionals can earn $78,830 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 Health
- Median wage (Washington): $49,220 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Optician License Requirements in Washington
The Department of Health oversees optician licensing in Washington 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Optician | Individuals must be at least 18 years old, a graduate of an accredited high school or with a GED, be of good moral character, have completed at least 3 years of apprenticeship training or have sucessf… |
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 Washington
Opticians, Dispensing Wages by Metro Area in Washington
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), opticians, dispensing wages in Washington vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 1,140 | $48,960 | $56,000 | $45,090 | $78,830 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 1,080 | $59,520 | $57,120 | $37,100 | $78,010 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | 600 | $49,620 | $55,760 | $45,060 | $77,150 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 180 | $47,650 | $51,040 | $38,170 | $76,190 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 120 | $49,540 | $50,820 | $38,840 | $65,310 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 70 | $48,780 | $53,850 | $38,780 | $77,460 |
| Bellingham | 60 | $53,050 | $52,260 | $40,650 | $68,120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | 60 | $58,250 | $59,960 | $40,360 | $81,420 |
| Yakima | 60 | $46,240 | $50,700 | $38,030 | $77,460 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | 50 | $50,490 | $53,110 | $40,760 | $79,090 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | 30 | $60,140 | $60,520 | $43,840 | $77,460 |
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 Washington
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest optician employment within Washington according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | 1,140 | $48,960 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | 180 | $47,650 |
| Kennewick-Richland | 120 | $49,540 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | 70 | $48,780 |
| Bellingham | 60 | $53,050 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for opticians in Washington? Washington currently employs approximately 2,100 opticians 1. Nationally, optician employment is projected to grow 2.9% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as an optician in Washington with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Washington? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Washington.
How much do opticians earn in Washington compared to the national average? The median annual wage for opticians in Washington is $49,220, which is $2,660 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 Health - Licensing Information: http://www.doh.wa.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |