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Optical Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Optical Technician Location: Aventura, FL Position Type: Full-Time Are you passionate about delivering exceptional patient care in the optical field? Our busy, well-established optical practice in ...

Optical Sales Associate

Alexandria, MN ยท On-site

$15 - $21/hr

Optician Pay rate is $15.00 to $21.00 per hour Are you looking for an opportunity to provide great customer service and patient care and grow your career? Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time ...

Optical Sales Associate

Red Wing, MN ยท On-site

$16 - $22.40/hr

Optician Pay rate is $16.00 to $22.40 per hour Are you looking for an opportunity to provide great customer service and patient care and grow your career? Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time ...

Optical Sales Associate

Saint Cloud, MN ยท On-site

$15 - $21/hr

Optician Pay rate is $15.00 to $21.00 per hour Are you looking for an opportunity to provide great customer service and patient care and grow your career? Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time ...

Optical Sales Associate

River Falls, WI ยท On-site

$16.25 - $20/hr

Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales Associate to join our team in Onalaska, WI. On the job training provided, no experience necessary. POSITION SUMMARY: Provide excellent patient and ...

Optical Sales Associate

Marshall, MN ยท On-site

$16 - $22.40/hr

Optician Pay rate is $16.00 to $22.40 per hour Are you looking for an opportunity to provide great customer service and patient care and grow your career? Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time ...

Optical Sales Associate

Hutchinson, MN ยท On-site

$15 - $21/hr

Optician Pay rate is $15.00 to $21.00 per hour Are you looking for an opportunity to provide great customer service and patient care and grow your career? Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time ...

Optical Sales Associate

Mansfield, OH ยท On-site

$15.25 - $18.75/hr

Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales Associate to join our team in Ontario, OH. On-the-job training provided, no experience necessary. POSITION SUMMARY: Provide excellent patient and ...

Optical Sales Associate

Green Bay, WI ยท On-site

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales Associate to join our team in Ashwaubenon, WI. On-the-job training provided, no experience necessary. POSITION SUMMARY: Provide excellent patient ...

Optical Sales Associate

Suamico, WI ยท On-site

$15.50 - $19.25/hr

Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales Associate to join our team in Suamico, WI. On the job training provided, no experience necessary. POSITION SUMMARY: Provide excellent patient and ...

Optical Sales Associate

Duluth, MN ยท On-site

$16 - $22.40/hr

Optician Rate is $16 - $22.40 per hour Are you looking for an opportunity to provide great customer service and patient care and grow your career? Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales ...

Optical Sales Associate

Rothschild, WI ยท On-site

$16 - $19.75/hr

Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales Associate to join our team in Rothschild, WI. On the job training provided, no experience necessary. POSITION SUMMARY: Provide excellent patient ...

Optical Salesperson

Brooklyn, NY ยท On-site

$16.75 - $20.75/hr

He/she is responsible for effectively selling all Optical's product lines and promoting the Optical image to customers within an assigned location while maintaining Optical merchandising standards ...

Optical Sales Associate

Neenah, WI ยท On-site

$16.50 - $20.25/hr

Shopko Optical is seeking a Full-time Optical Sales Associate to join our team in Neenah, WI. On the job training provided, no experience necessary. POSITION SUMMARY: Provide excellent patient and ...

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Optical information

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$11

$21

$37

How much do optical jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical in the United States is $21.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is optical technician a good career?

Optical technicians play a key role in manufacturing, repairing, and maintaining optical devices such as lenses and glasses. The profession typically requires technical training or certification and offers steady employment opportunities in healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Job prospects depend on industry demand and regional employment rates.

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician?

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both medical eye care professionals, but they differ in their level of training. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors and complete eight years of medical school. They can practice medicine and perform surgery. Optometrists are not medical doctors. Optometrists earn a doctor of optometry degree after attending four years of optometry school. These professionals primarily perform eye exams and vision tests, but they can also identify some basic eye abnormalities. Optometrists are also licensed to prescribe some medications. Opticians are eyewear specialists and do not need any formal medical education.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Technician, you need a strong understanding of optics, lens fabrication, and vision correction, often supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training or certification. Familiarity with lensometers, auto-refractors, and optical dispensing software is typically required. Attention to detail, customer service skills, and effective communication help you excel when assisting patients and collaborating with eye care professionals. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate prescription fulfillment, patient satisfaction, and the smooth operation of optical services.

What is the difference between Optical vs Optometrist?

AspectOpticalOptometrist
CredentialsTypically requires optical technician or assistant certificationRequires Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and licensure
Work EnvironmentOptical stores, eyewear retail, labsClinics, private practices, healthcare settings
Industry UsageFocuses on eyewear fitting, lens selection, customer serviceFocuses on eye exams, vision testing, diagnosing eye conditions

Optical roles mainly involve assisting with eyewear and customer service, while optometrists provide comprehensive eye care and diagnosis. Both are essential in eye health but differ significantly in education and scope of practice.

What is a career in optics?

A career in optics involves working with the science and technology of light, including designing, testing, and manufacturing optical devices such as lenses, microscopes, and lasers. Professionals in this field often require knowledge of physics, engineering, and specialized tools, and may work in research, development, or manufacturing environments.

What are optical jobs?

Optical jobs refer to roles within the vision care and eyewear industry, such as opticians, optical assistants, and technicians. These professionals help customers select and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses, assist with vision tests, and provide support to optometrists and ophthalmologists. They may also perform repairs and adjustments on eyewear and educate customers about lens options and eye care. Working in optical jobs typically requires strong customer service skills and a basic understanding of eye anatomy and optical products.

What are some common challenges faced by optical technicians, and how can they effectively address them?

Optical technicians often encounter challenges such as keeping up with evolving lens technologies, managing high volumes of customer orders, and ensuring precise fabrication and fitting of eyewear. Staying updated through ongoing training and certifications is essential to handle new equipment and materials. Additionally, strong communication and organizational skills help in coordinating with optometrists and delivering excellent customer service. Collaborating closely with the rest of the optical team ensures that patient needs are met efficiently and accurately.
What cities are hiring for Optical jobs? Cities with the most Optical job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical jobs? The most popular types of Optical jobs are:
What states have the most Optical jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical jobs include:
Infographic showing various Optical job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,592 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Optical Test Engineer

Mesh Optical Technologies

Gardena, CA โ€ข On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

OPTICAL TEST ENGINEER
Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will be at the center of advanced technologies in the coming century. Making advanced technology ubiquitous means building at scale, and that's exactly what we're doing at Mesh.
Scaling advanced photonics demands test and measurement systems as sophisticated as the devices themselves. We are seeking an Optical Test Engineer to design, build, and validate the optical test infrastructure that ensures our products meet rigorous performance, yield, and reliability standards-from wafer-level characterization through integrated module validation. You will be the critical link between design intent and production reality, turning data into actionable insight across every stage of our manufacturing pipeline.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Partner with PIC design, electrical, mechanical and test teams to define requirements for production and develop test approaches for complex hardware
  • Design, build, and validate optical test systems including imaging, microscopy, polarimetry, profilometry, and interferometry
  • Compile and analyze data sets to identify trends in performance
  • Assist with validation activities, including performance characterization at the wafer-, die-, and integrated module level
  • Work with internal engineering teams and suppliers to identify drivers of performance, yield, reliability, and quality issues
  • Review designs for manufacturability; drive integration build flow, test operations, and execution readiness

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, optical engineering, applied physics or an engineering discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience in optics, photonics, lasers, or test
  • Working knowledge of lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optical test/troubleshooting methods, and signal integrity fundamentals
  • Hands-on experience with optical test equipment (e.g., power meters, interferometers, spectrum analyzers)
  • 1+ years of programming experience (e.g., C++, LabVIEW, and/or Python)
  • Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as needed

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree or PhD in electrical engineering, optical engineering, applied physics or an engineering discipline
  • Experience in optical lab or production environments with strong attention to detail
  • Proficiency with optical design/analysis tools (e.g., Zemax)
  • Experience integrating and testing electrical and/or avionics systems
  • Experience with documentation practices and configuration management
  • Hands-on experience with electro-optic wafer- and die-level test systems
  • Hands-on familiarity with optical/RF test equipment (e.g., spectrum analyzers, VNAs, VSGs, high-speed oscilloscopes, BERTs)
  • Experience writing test plans and procedures, and delivering go/no-go decisions with clear rationale
  • CAD proficiency (NX preferred)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Optical Test Engineer: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00/per year
Title and base salary are determined on a case by case basis commensurate with experience and merit.
In addition to base salary, compensation for this role includes:
  • Eligibility for long-term incentives including company stock options and discretionary bonuses awarded for exceptional achievements.
  • Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance with significant cost covered by the company for yourself and dependents.
  • Paid parental leave and flexible PTO (3 weeks accrued vacation and 10 company holidays per year).
  • 401(k) retirement plan access.
  • Relocation assistance to sunny Los Angeles.