Optician training by state
54 optician and eye care programs in 21 states and 1 territory, with costs, results and funding that can make them free
Which schools offer WIOA-approved optician training?
49 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.
What does an optician do, and how do you become one?
Opticians fit customers for eyeglasses and contact lenses and help them choose frames and lenses. Most need a high school diploma and learn on the job, while some start with an associate degree or certificate in ophthalmic dispensing. Some states require a license, which usually takes an approved program or an apprenticeship and passed exams, and employers may want certification in eyeglass and contact lens dispensing.1
How much does optician training cost?
Most optician and eye care programs approved for WIOA funding cost $1,995 to $6,486 if you pay yourself. Certificates and short courses mostly cost $1,995 to $4,545 and two-year degrees $9,487 to $15,231. Prices also differ by state: most cost $336 to $2,656 in North Carolina and $2,495 to $15,920 in California.
That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.
Compare optician training by state: cost, pay and results
| State | Programs | Most cost | Earned a year, estimated | Working 6 months later | Finished |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| California | 6 | $2,495 to $15,920 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Connecticut | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Florida | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Georgia | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Hawaii | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Indiana | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Kentucky | 2 | No figures reported | |||
| Maryland | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Michigan | 4 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Minnesota | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Missouri | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| New Hampshire | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| North Carolina | 7 | $336 to $2,656 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data |
| Ohio | 5 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Oklahoma | 1 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out | Not enough data |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | Not enough data | Not enough data | Left out | Left out |
| Tennessee | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Texas | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Virginia | 1 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Washington | 2 | Too few figures to show | |||
| Wisconsin | 3 | Too few figures to show | |||
Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer optician training too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made
Optician certificate, degree or ophthalmic assistant course? What the 54 programs are
By kind, the 54 programs approved for WIOA funding are eye care assistant or technician course (27 programs), optician certificate or diploma (10 programs), optician certification exam prep (9 programs), optician (associate degree, 5 programs), and 3 more of one other kind.
Across the US, 14 of the 54 programs take students without a high school diploma, 32 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 8 ask for earlier courses first.
Other training by state
- CDL training2,423 programs
- CNA classes1,749 programs
- Medical assistant training1,865 programs
- Phlebotomy training1,153 programs
- Welding classes2,307 programs
- HVAC training1,340 programs
- Medical billing and coding training1,297 programs
- LPN programs1,024 programs
- EMT classes1,210 programs
- Electrician training1,004 programs
- Dental assistant programs966 programs
- Auto mechanic classes1,108 programs
- Pharmacy technician training847 programs
- Plumbing school384 programs
- CNC machinist training918 programs
- Carpentry classes361 programs
- Heavy equipment operator training215 programs
- Diesel mechanic training446 programs
- Cybersecurity training1,449 programs
- IT training3,817 programs
- Cosmetology school355 programs
- Barber school233 programs
- Esthetician school264 programs
- Nail tech school191 programs
- EKG technician programs337 programs
- Massage therapy school305 programs
- Paralegal programs449 programs
- Fire academy337 programs
- Police academy338 programs
- Surgical tech programs363 programs
- Radiology tech programs345 programs
- Culinary school606 programs
- Home health aide training186 programs
- PTA programs217 programs
- Medical administrative assistant training907 programs
- Human resources training460 programs
- Medication aide training293 programs
- Industrial maintenance technician training1,298 programs
- Early childhood education programs1,008 programs
- Aircraft mechanic school264 programs
- Supply chain and logistics training472 programs
- Hospitality management programs294 programs
- Addiction counselor training233 programs
- Community health worker training58 programs
- Coding and software development courses1,104 programs
- Lineman school282 programs
- Sterile processing technician training180 programs
- Sonography school183 programs
- Data analytics courses644 programs
- Administrative assistant training1,530 programs
- Respiratory therapy programs213 programs
- Medical lab technician programs255 programs
- AutoCAD and drafting courses579 programs
- Digital marketing courses392 programs
- Web and graphic design courses840 programs
- Health information technology programs385 programs
- Vet tech programs218 programs
- Real estate school123 programs
- Security guard training119 programs
- Patient care technician training278 programs
- OTA programs101 programs
- Crane operator training105 programs
- Interpreter and translator training82 programs
- Home inspector training67 programs
- Forklift certification113 programs
- Personal trainer certification123 programs
- Healthcare administration programs121 programs
- Customer service training168 programs
- Flight school144 programs
- MRI tech school29 programs
- Cardiovascular technology programs26 programs
- RBT certification training52 programs
- Mental health technician training120 programs
- Human services programs269 programs
- Manufacturing technician training668 programs
- Electronics technician training465 programs
- Business administration programs1,613 programs
- Criminal justice programs557 programs
- Teacher assistant certification212 programs
- Auto body repair classes301 programs
- Merchant mariner training142 programs
- Sleep technician training18 programs
- Solar and wind technician training150 programs
- Sheet metal training59 programs
- Water treatment operator training66 programs
- OSHA safety training128 programs
- Dialysis technician training60 programs
- Masonry training72 programs
- Insurance license courses41 programs
- Construction training programs833 programs
- Dental hygiene programs171 programs
- Accounting and bookkeeping classes1,461 programs
- RN programs1,252 programs
- Project management certification951 programs
Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.
Where the eye care program numbers by state come from
Which eye care programs are counted?
Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).6 Schools that never applied for approval are missing.
What the figures for each state mean
Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).
Sources for the facts about optician training
Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Opticians
- US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
- US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
- Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
- US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
- US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List