SOC 29-2081
Opticians, Dispensing
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ58/100
Elevated
US Employment
๐ฅ79,690
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$47K
$34K โ $73K
Projected Growth
๐+2.9%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค53/100
Moderate exposure
๐ก Opticians, Dispensing face a risk score of 58/100 โ 14 points above the national average of 44. With 53/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $47K ($250 above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 58/100, Opticians, Dispensing faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like natural language processing for clinical documentation are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 79,690 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in emergency triage requiring rapid human judgment and hands-on physical examination and procedures to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Opticians, Dispensing?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
Natural language processing for clinical documentation
AI clinical decision-support tools guiding treatment
Telehealth platforms automating triage and intake
Administrative automation of medical billing and coding
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Emergency triage requiring rapid human judgment
Hands-on physical examination and procedures
Complex clinical judgment in ambiguous presentations
Interdisciplinary care coordination
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
๐ป Technology Skills
Medical software
Data base user interface and query software
Accounting software
Inventory management software
Spreadsheet software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
Sales and Marketing
Mathematics
Production and Processing
Administrative
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 75% |
| Occupational Therapists | 28 | $98K | 75% |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | 28 | $78K | 75% |