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Opticians Salary Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

As an Optics Fabricator at MKS Instruments, you will partner with Production, Engineering, Planning ... This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide ...

... optics, mechanical parts, tooling, and coatings. * Skilled in troubleshooting and supporting alignment, testing, and analysis activities for opto‑mechanical systems. For California, the salary ...

Lead Opto-Mechanical Design Engineer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$105.22 - $186.30/hr

... optics, mechanical parts, tooling, and coatings. • Skilled in troubleshooting and supporting alignment, testing, and analysis activities for opto‑mechanical systems. For California, the salary ...

Showing results 21-40

Opticians Salary information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$15

$20

$29

How much do opticians salary jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for opticians salary in Riverside, CA is $20.92, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.08 and $22.55 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Opticians Salary vs Optometrists Salary?

AspectOpticians SalaryOptometrists Salary
Average Annual Salary$36,000 - $55,000$105,000 - $125,000
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, certification or licenseDoctor of Optometry (OD) degree, state license
Work EnvironmentOptical stores, retail settingsPrivate practices, clinics, hospitals
Job ResponsibilitiesFitting glasses, adjusting frames, basic eye examsComprehensive eye exams, diagnosing eye conditions

Opticians typically earn less than optometrists due to differences in education, responsibilities, and scope of practice. While opticians focus on fitting and adjusting eyewear, optometrists perform detailed eye examinations and diagnose eye health issues, which explains the salary disparity.

Do opticians get paid a lot?

Opticians typically earn a moderate salary that varies by experience, location, and work setting. According to industry data, the median annual wage for opticians is around $37,000, with higher earnings possible for those with specialized skills or certification. Overall, opticians are generally not among the highest-paid healthcare professionals but can have stable, well-paying careers with proper training and certification.

How much does a licensed optician make?

Licensed opticians in North Carolina typically earn an average annual salary of around $35,000 to $45,000, depending on experience, location, and employer. Certification and technical skills can influence earning potential, and many work in retail optical stores or healthcare settings with regular hours.

Is being an optician a good career?

Opticians are healthcare professionals who fit and dispense eyeglasses and contact lenses, often working in retail or clinical settings. The career offers steady employment, requires certification or licensing in many regions, and involves skills in customer service and optical technology. Job prospects are generally stable due to ongoing demand for vision correction services.

Where do opticians make the most money?

Opticians tend to earn higher salaries in regions with a higher cost of living and greater demand for eye care services, such as urban areas and economically developed regions. Salaries can also increase with experience, certifications, and working in specialized or high-end optical practices.

What are popular job titles related to Opticians Salary jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Opticians Salary jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Opticians Salary jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Opticians Salary jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Opticians Salary jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Opticians Salary job openings:

Infographic showing various Opticians Salary job openings in Riverside, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Full Time, 78% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,510 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

$17.31 - $32.12/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

A Day in Your Life at MKS:
As an Optics Fabricator at MKS Instruments, you will partner with Production, Engineering, Planning, and others to produce world-class precision optics. In this role, you will report to the Manufacturing Supervisor.
You Will Make an Impact By:
  • Running multiple polishing and generating machines to process various optical materials (i.e. fused silica, CaF2, etc.).
  • Reading routers and engineering drawings to understand part specifications and manufacturing processes.
  • Testing optical parts using interferometers, calipers, micrometers, and other test equipment.
  • Troubleshooting and making necessary adjustments to your equipment to achieve passing parts.
  • Performing surface quality inspections to ensure parts are free of digs and scratches.
  • Performing maintenance on your machines to keep them running at peak efficiency.

Skills You Bring:
  • Preferably completion of high school, vocational training, or equivalent.
  • Basic computer skills and literacy.
  • Good communication skills.
  • Enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a team environment.
  • 1+ year of related experience required

Preferred Skills:
  • Related experience in sizing, grinding, or polishing of optical materials using conventional and/or CNC methods.

Compensation and Benefits:
Hourly Pay Range: $17.31 - 32.12 USD Hourly. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law. At MKS, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.
Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS [or as applicable].
Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, [6 weeks fully paid] parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement [and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc.].
MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.
MKS will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers.
#LI-MC1
Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. persons." "U.S. persons" are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees.
MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("MKS") is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business.
MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: accommodationsatMKS@mksinst.com .
If applying for a specific job, please include the requisition number (ex: RXXXX), the title and location of the role