Optical Technician Jobs
Optical Technician jobs are open across optometry practices, ophthalmology clinics, optical retail chains, and manufacturing facilities, at every level from entry-level to senior lab technician, with specializations in prescription lens fabrication, ophthalmic dispensing, and optical instrument repair. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
Find Optical Technician JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 160+ Optical Technician jobs
Under direct supervision, perform a variety of tasks related to daily optical lab operations, production, and patient orders.
Essential Functions
Offer exceptional customer service by proactively communicating in a timely manner; calls patients or vendors to communicate delays/issues with lens orders
Order lenses and frames from appropriate lab or vendor based on vision plan
Perform shipping functions including efficiently working with time-sensitive shipments and maintaining records
Unpack and sort inbound frames and lenses to appropriate in-house trays or ships to various external labs as necessary
Routinely check products on order for delays or back orders and communicates and resolves order issues
Inventory control functions including assisting with stocking lenses, sorting and distributing trays, pulling lenses, and performing cosmetic inspection and restocking as needed
Assist with ordering lab supplies, working with vendors for all consumables; troubleshoots issues/problems, and creating lenses for glasses
Assist in efficiently moving work through the department
Maintain company safety standards
Maintain a clean workstation
Assist and cooperate with other departments
Ensure understanding and adherence to quality management and safety requirements, systems, and procedures
Other duties as assigned
Requirements:Job Specifications
Typically has the following skills or abilities:
Experience working in a fast-paced environment
One to two years of relative experience
Ability to meet department standards for productivity and quality
Ability to communicate at a level necessary to accomplish the above tasks
Good manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination
Ability to perform physical activities requiring bending, kneeling, and pulling/pushing
Ability to recognize and distinguish colors
Ability to understand and follow procedures
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
Ability to walk or stand up to 100% of the time
For roles that are remote (i.e., Work From Home (WFH)) or hybrid (i.e., partial onsite at a VSP location and WFH), must demonstrate a high level of engagement in virtual environments, including maintaining camera presence during meetings to support effective communication and team alignment
Working Conditions
The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust etc.
The working environment is well lighted and ventilated. Individuals are typically required to stand for long periods of time. Noise and dust from power-grinding machinery and other equipment is to be expected. Individuals may wear safety attire such as goggles and gloves and may work physically close to others, such as when sharing work areas. There are no major hazards.
VSP Vision is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to age, gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
The compensation range for the role is listed below. Applicable salary ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. As a part of the compensation package, this role may include eligible bonuses and commissions. For more information regarding Optical Outlets benefits, please visit opticaloutlets.com/careers
See All 160+ Optical Technician Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Technician JobsOptical Technician Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Eyemart Express23
- Clarkson Eyecare17
- EOS IT Solutions8
- ABB Optical5
- ASML4
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in optical technician jobs.
- High school diploma or equivalent with vocational or on-the-job optical training
- Experience operating optical lab equipment including edgers, lensometers, and surfacing tools
- ABO (American Board of Opticianry) certification or eligibility to obtain it
- Ability to read and interpret optical prescriptions accurately
- Attention to detail and manual dexterity for lens fabrication and frame adjustments
- Customer service skills for patient-facing roles in retail or clinical environments
Tips for Your Optical Technician Job Search
List your equipment certifications upfront
Employers scan for specific lab equipment experience fast. Name the edgers, lensometers, and surfacing machines you've operated in a dedicated skills section at the top of your resume, before your work history.
Tailor your resume to the setting
A retail optical lab role and a hospital-based ophthalmic technician role are different jobs. Adjust your resume to emphasize dispensing and customer interaction for retail, and clinical documentation and instrument calibration for medical settings.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists optical technician openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that match your license level
Some employers require ABO certification or state licensure, while others accept candidates who are eligible to test. Filter your search by those requirements early so you're not applying to roles you can't legally fill yet.
Prepare for a hands-on skills demonstration
Many optical technician interviews include a practical component where you adjust frames, verify prescriptions on a lensometer, or demonstrate lens edging. Brush up on the physical steps before your interview so the technique is fresh.
Negotiate based on certification and setting
If you hold ABO or NCLE certification, or have experience in a high-volume lab versus a small practice, those are concrete differentiators. Name them directly when discussing compensation rather than accepting the initial offer without question.
Optical Technician Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most optical technicians?
The most active employers for optical technicians right now are Eyemart Express, Clarkson Eyecare, and EOS IT Solutions, and the most openings are in Texas, California, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Retail optical chains and ophthalmology group practices tend to post the highest volume of openings nationwide.
How many optical technician jobs are remote?
About 38% of optical technician openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The sub-areas most compatible with remote work are optical sales support, customer service for online eyewear retailers, and prescription review coordination rather than lab fabrication or clinical dispensing.
How do you become an optical technician?
Start by completing a high school diploma, then pursue on-the-job training at an optical retail or lab setting, or enroll in a formal opticianry program at a community college. After gaining practical experience with lens fabrication and dispensing, prepare for and pass the ABO certification exam. Many states also require a separate dispensing license, so check your state board's requirements before applying to patient-facing roles.
Can you get hired as an optical technician with no experience?
Yes, many optical retail chains and independent practices hire candidates with no prior experience and train them in-house on equipment and prescription reading. Demonstrating comfort with precision tasks, strong attention to detail, and an interest in optics during your interview helps. Volunteering to shadow an optometrist or completing a short opticianry course before applying can also set you apart from other entry-level applicants.
What does the optical technician interview process look like?
Most optical technician interviews begin with a phone or video screen focused on your background and availability, followed by an in-person interview with a lab manager or optometrist. Many employers include a brief skills assessment where you verify a prescription on a lensometer or perform a simple frame adjustment. Clinical settings may also ask scenario questions about patient interaction and handling prescription discrepancies.
Where can I find and apply to optical technician jobs?
You can find and apply to optical technician jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that fit your experience level and certification status, then apply directly to each listing that matches what you're looking for.
See All 160+ Optical Technician Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Technician Jobs