1

Optical Laboratory Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Be Seen First

Optical Lab Technician

Saraland, AL · On-site

$15 - $25/hr

Identify and work with basic optical laboratory equipment, tools, supplies, and materials ... Time management skills - ability to prioritize and work quickly and efficiently when there are ...

Optical/Office Manager

Lynnwood, WA · On-site

$20 - $25/hr

Manage inventory, including ordering eyewear and contact lenses, conducting regular stock checks ... Preparing work orders for the optical laboratory. * Experience in optical desired.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Optical Laboratory Manager information

See salary details

$79K

$85K

$89.5K

How much do optical laboratory manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical laboratory manager in the United States is $85,000.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $87,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by optical laboratory managers, and how can they be addressed?

Optical Laboratory Managers often face challenges such as maintaining high production quality while meeting tight deadlines, managing inventory of lenses and frames, and ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards. Effective communication with team members and cross-functional departments, such as customer service and sales, is essential to address these issues promptly. Implementing robust quality control procedures and ongoing staff training can help maintain accuracy and efficiency, while adopting inventory management systems can minimize shortages or overstock situations.

What does an optical laboratory manager do?

An Optical Laboratory Manager oversees the daily operations of an optical lab where eyeglasses, lenses, and other optical products are manufactured and assembled. They are responsible for supervising staff, ensuring quality control, maintaining equipment, and managing inventory. Additionally, they implement safety standards, handle scheduling, and coordinate with optometrists and optical dispensaries to fulfill orders accurately and efficiently. Their role is crucial in ensuring timely delivery of high-quality optical products to customers.

What is the difference between Optical Laboratory Manager vs Optical Lab Technician?

AspectOptical Laboratory ManagerOptical Lab Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a high school diploma or equivalent; some roles prefer certifications in optical technologyHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical training often preferred
Work EnvironmentSupervises lab operations, manages staff, oversees quality controlPerforms lens fabrication, assembly, and quality checks
Industry UsageUsed in optical labs, eyewear manufacturing, and retail optical stores

The Optical Laboratory Manager oversees the entire lab operations, staff, and quality control, requiring some managerial skills. In contrast, the Optical Lab Technician focuses on the hands-on fabrication and assembly of lenses. Both roles are essential in optical labs but differ mainly in responsibilities and scope.

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

To thrive as an Optical Laboratory Manager, you typically need a solid understanding of optical science, laboratory operations, lens fabrication processes, and a relevant degree or certification in opticianry or optical technology. Familiarity with laboratory management software, lens edging and surfacing equipment, and quality control systems is crucial. Excellent leadership, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help manage teams and ensure smooth workflow. These skills are vital for maintaining high-quality standards, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction in a competitive optical environment.

What does an optical laboratory manager do?

As an optical laboratory manager, your responsibilities include handling all optical laboratory duties for one or many practices. This includes inspecting lenses and invoices to ensure billing is accurate, coordinating scheduling with patients, and managing digital tracers, stock lenses, and lens turnaround time. You work closely with the lens vendor rep for staff training and marketing, and integrate lab management software. Other duties include crafting eyewear by edging lenses to the correct prescription, mounting lenses in frames, inspecting to ensure conformance to ANSI specifications, and working directly with patients to troubleshoot problems. You make recommendations to your manager on new operations and technologies that help increase efficiency and cost savings, assist with laboratory training, and organize expenses reports. You are also expected to handle equipment maintenance as needed.

What cities are hiring for Optical Laboratory Manager jobs? Cities with the most Optical Laboratory Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Laboratory jobs? The most popular types of Optical Laboratory jobs are:
What states have the most Optical Laboratory Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Laboratory Manager jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Optical Laboratory Manager jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Laboratory Manager jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Laboratory Manager jobs? For Optical Laboratory Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Optical Laboratory Manager job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,000 per year, or $40.9 per hour.

Optical Lab Technician

Eyeworld Vision Center

Saraland, AL • On-site

$15 - $25/hr

Full-time

PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Be Seen First

After you apply to this job, you can share why you’re interested to jump to the top of the candidate list.


Job description

The Lab Technician will be responsible for cutting, edging, and creating prescription lenses for patients will receive their new prescription glasses in a timely manner.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Identify and work with basic optical laboratory equipment, tools, supplies, and materials
  • Consistently adhere to hourly deadlines for finishing jobs
  • Correctly read and interpret prescription specifications and input into computer properly to ensure lenses are cut properly
  • Maintain the lab area and equipment in a safe and organized manner
  • Perform daily, weekly and monthly lab equipment maintenance as scheduled and in accordance with lab/equipment manual specifications
  • Understanding of and ability to add and/or subtract
  • Read and interpret prescription specifications

Experience Requirements

  • Experience working in the optical industry is preferred
  • Will train a motivated person

Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to stand for prolonged periods of time (up to 8 hours per day per scheduled shift)
  • Ability to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to approximately 25 lbs, on rare occasions aid in moving heavy lab equipment
  • Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
  • Ability to operate basic office equipment
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Ability to identify and solve problems, and facilitate problem solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Time management skills - ability to prioritize and work quickly and efficiently when there are multiple customers to assist
  • Ability to deal with stressful situations
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees

Working Environment:

  • Work is performed primarily in an optical laboratory setting
  • Environment often fast-paced, deadline oriented
  • Confined space with one or more employees at any given time
  • May work alone in lab as necessary or with partner
  • Exposure to dusts, fumes, glass and/or plastic lens particulates, standard chemicals found in optical lab (some of which may be caustic), metal alloy (solid and melted), moderately high levels of noise, fluorescent lighting, cleaning agents and electrical energy
  • Will be working primarily with small manual tools (screwdriver, pliers, etc.), lenses and automated laboratory equipment

Company Description

Locally owned family-oriented optical since 1985.