Loading...
Loading...
Compare optician licensing requirements across 51 US states and territories. Click any row to view that state's full licensing guide.
Avg. Median Salary
$46,312
across 51 states
Avg. Time to License
1 months
across 51 states
Avg. Initial Cost
$516
across 13 states
| State | Median Salary | Time to License | Initial Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,570#49 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Alaska | $56,260#9 | 1 mo#1 | $700#13 | 2 wk#1 |
| Arizona | $46,520#23 | 1 mo#1 | $650#9 | 2 wk#1 |
| Arkansas | $45,440#27 | 1 mo#1 | $500#5 | 2 wk#1 |
| California | $57,770#6 | 1 mo#1 | $575#8 | 2 wk#1 |
| Colorado | $45,900#25 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Connecticut | $64,780#2 | 1 mo#1 | $650#9 | 2 wk#1 |
| Delaware | $40,400#36 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| District of Columbia | $59,110#5 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Florida | $56,920#8 | 1 mo#1 | $650#9 | 2 wk#1 |
| Georgia | $45,640#26 | 1 mo#1 | $650#9 | 2 wk#1 |
| Hawaii | $56,090#10 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Idaho | $39,670#39 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Illinois | $41,230#34 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Indiana | $37,740#44 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Iowa | $41,810#32 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Kansas | $37,890#42 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Kentucky | $44,530#29 | 1 mo#1 | $325#2 | 2 wk#1 |
| Louisiana | $34,910#51 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Maine | $46,310#24 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Maryland | $47,710#20 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Massachusetts | $63,810#3 | 1 mo#1 | $509#6 | 2 wk#1 |
| Michigan | $39,870#37 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Minnesota | $49,020#16 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Mississippi | $35,530#50 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Missouri | $36,960#45 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Montana | $44,600#28 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Nebraska | $38,850#40 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Nevada | $47,600#21 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| New Hampshire | $49,400#15 | 1 mo#1 | $130#1 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Jersey | $66,250#1 | 1 mo#1 | $385#3 | 2 wk#1 |
| New Mexico | $36,910#46 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| New York | $60,100#4 | 1 mo#1 | $558#7 | 2 wk#1 |
| North Carolina | $49,570#13 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| North Dakota | $41,400#33 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Ohio | $48,080#18 | 1 mo#1 | $423.5#4 | 2 wk#1 |
| Oklahoma | $36,150#48 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Oregon | $49,550#14 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,010#30 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Rhode Island | $50,380#12 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| South Carolina | $46,830#22 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| South Dakota | $41,020#35 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Tennessee | $47,850#19 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Texas | $36,400#47 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Utah | $39,760#38 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Vermont | $57,500#7 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Virginia | $54,320#11 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Washington | $48,320#17 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| West Virginia | $38,480#41 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Wisconsin | $43,320#31 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
| Wyoming | $37,870#43 | 1 mo#1 | — | 2 wk#1 |
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024. Timeline and processing times derived from state licensing board requirements. Cost includes government application and exam fees (excludes education/training costs). Rankings use dense ranking — tied values share the same rank.