Opticians
Opticians assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, take the necessary measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses, mount lenses in eyeglass frames and fit clients with final prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 2
Skill Level
PE, ON, AB
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Obtain specifications for eyeglasses or contact lenses from a prescription prepared by an ophthalmologist or optometrist or by analyzing the client's eyeglasses or contact lenses and take necessary measurements including the curvature of the eyes, the accurate position of the pupils and bridge width, using optical measuring devices
- Advice clients on eyeglasses selection by informing them of different products such as lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
- Adjust contact lenses and inform client on use and care
- Grind, polish, cut and edge lenses or have them made by a laboratory before inserting them into the frame
- Adjust finished eyeglasses to fit client
- May supervise or manage the activities of other opticians or student opticians.
Qualifications
- checkCompletion of a two- or three-year college program in ophthalmic dispensing or optical sciences is required.
- checkLicensing by a regulatory body for opticians is required in all provinces.
- checkLicensing requirements for scope of practice and protected titles related to the sale or dispensing and fitting of contact lenses vary by province.
Market Outlook by Province
Prince Edward Island
The employment outlook will be Good for opticians (NOC 32100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about opticians in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 50 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Opticians mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 66%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 34% The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 50% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 50% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 40% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Good for opticians (NOC 32100) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about opticians in Ontario: Approximately 3,400 people work in this occupation. Opticians mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 77%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 14% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 84% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 16% compared to 19% for all occupations48% of opticians work all year, while 52% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.18% of opticians are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 40% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 60% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 8% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 63% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 19% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 6% compared to 13% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Alberta
The employment outlook will be Good for opticians (NOC 32100) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about opticians in Alberta: Approximately 1,600 people work in this occupation. Opticians mainly work in the following sectors: Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 70%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 24% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 20% for all occupations51% of opticians work all year, while 49% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.5% of opticians are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 20% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 80% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 13% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 11% compared to 13% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 63% compared to 19% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 10% compared to 21% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Find out if demand for this role is strong near you
See outlook data across all 8 provinces and territories.
Immigration Pathways
TEER 2 occupations require college education or apprenticeship training and qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Express Entry (FSW)
Canadian Experience Class
Provincial Nominee Programs
Need an LMIA-ready resume for this role?
Get a resume tailored to NOC 32100 with LMIA compliance formatting and employer-specific keywords.
Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 32100 openings right now.
EssilorLuxottica
24 active roles · Calgary, AB · Saint Bruno, QC
Specsavers
15 active roles · Winnipeg, MB · Calgary, AB
FYidoctors
5 active roles · Maple Ridge, BC · Varennes, QC
FYihealth group / solis optics
2 active roles · Regina, SK
Vision Group
2 active roles · Calgary, AB
Home
1 active role · Markham, ON
See which companies are actively sponsoring this role
Get employer insights, sponsorship history, and hiring trends for Opticians positions.
Recent Job Postings
Jobs matching NOC 32100 posted in the last 30 days.
See Live Opticians Jobs
Browse real-time job postings matching NOC 32100 across Canada — filtered to Opticians roles, including visa-sponsored and LMIA-approved positions.
See Opticians Jobs in Canadaarrow_forwardJob Boards
Search for Opticians positions across Canada's top job platforms.
Job Bank
Government of Canada official job board
Search Opticiansarrow_forwardIndeed Canada
Largest job search engine in Canada
Search Opticiansarrow_forwardProfessional networking and job search
Search Opticiansarrow_forwardGlassdoor
Jobs with salary and company reviews
Search Opticiansarrow_forwardWorkopolis
Canadian job search platform
Search Opticiansarrow_forwardMonster Canada
Global job board with Canadian listings
Search Opticiansarrow_forwardCore Competencies
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
to use machinery to grind and shape lenses to meet the clients' prescription and ensure they fit the desired eyeglass frames
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
to accurately address client needs, troubleshoot equipment issues, ensure precise measurements and handle unexpected challenges
Verbal Ability and Speech Clarity
to assist clients in selecting contact lenses and eyeglasses by advising on lens materials, frames, tints and anti-reflection coating
Near Vision
to operate optical measuring devices to measure clients' eye curvatures, pupillary distances and bridge widths; and in using equipment to cut and edge lenses, fit lenses into frames and grind and polish lenses
Attention to Detail
to precisely determine specifications for eyeglasses and contact lenses from prescriptions and ensure prepared lenses match specifications
Knowledge in Physical Health
to understand ocular anatomy and visual system principles when taking measurements and fitting corrective lenses
Get an AI-optimized resume for this career
Our AI builds a resume specifically tailored to NOC 32100 (Opticians) with the exact keywords and qualifications Canadian employers look for.
Upgrade to ProFind Opticians Jobs in Canada
Browse open positions matching this career path and start your application today.
Search Jobs