Opticians, Dispensing
The short answer
Parts of this job are expected to change. AI can already assist with some of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 481 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth for how much AI could touch it—right around the middle.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the middle fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 48% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Assist clients in selecting frames according to style and color, and ensure that frames are coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Maintain records of customer prescriptions, work orders, and payments.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Heat, shape, or bend plastic or metal frames to adjust eyeglasses to fit clients, using pliers and hands.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Show customers how to insert, remove, and care for their contact lenses.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Prepare work orders and instructions for grinding lenses and fabricating eyeglasses.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and goods related to eyes, in general.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Very similar work+40% pay40 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 40% more—$92,117 vs your $65,670 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree, plus internship/residency.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Expression
- Speaking
- Production and Processing
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Therapy and Counseling
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Design
- Mechanical
- Engineering and Technology
Hearing Aid Specialists
Very similar work+30% pay24 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 30% more—$85,315 vs your $65,670 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sales and Marketing
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Therapy and Counseling
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Computers and Electronics
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Engineering and Technology
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other
Similar workslightly less pay874 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$62,004 vs your $65,670 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Expression
- Active Listening
- Oral Comprehension
- Speaking
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
Optometrists
Similar work+152% pay156 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 152% more—$165,646 vs your $65,670 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a doctoral or professional degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Expression
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Science
- Inductive Reasoning
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
Similar work+54% pay1,048 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 54% more—$101,221 vs your $65,670 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Expression
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Active Listening
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Static Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Computers and Electronics
Surgical Technologists
Similar work+25% pay437 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 25% more—$81,776 vs your $65,670 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Customer and Personal Service
- Oral Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Active Listening
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Equipment Maintenance
- Static Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Hearing Sensitivity