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Lens Grinders and Polishers


At a Glance

  • Make lenses for things from eyeglasses to telescopes
  • Read and interpret prescription orders
  • Work alone most of the time
  • Some learn their skills through certificate programs
  • Most train on the job

Career summary

Lens grinders and polishers make lenses for eyeglasses and equipment such as telescopes.

Lens grinders and polishers may also be called ophthalmic laboratory technicians.

Lens grinders and polishers cut, grind, and finish lenses. They read prescriptions from opticians or optometrists to learn what type of lenses to make. They also look at work orders for specifications, such as color tints or protective coatings.

Lens grinders and polishers pick out plastic or glass lens blanks. They mark on the blank lenses where the curves need to be cut. They place the lenses in grinders and set up the machines for the proper types of cuts. Once the lenses are cut, lens grinders and polishers put the lenses in two other machines. These polishing and finishing machines use fine abrasives to smooth the edges and improve the lenses.

Lens grinders and polishers inspect the newly ground lenses to see if they match prescriptions. They may use lensometers, which are similar to microscopes, to check the lenses. They shape the sides at an angle and apply protective finishes or colors.

Lens grinders and polishers use hand tools to attach temple pieces and nose pads to frames. They polish lenses by hand to remove dust and smudges. They usually put the lens into the frames but will sometimes let the optician do this.

In smaller labs, lens grinders and polishers do all of these tasks. In larger labs, they may be responsible for running only one type of machine. In some retail stores, lens grinders and polishers repair or make adjustments to broken eyeglasses.

Some lens grinders and polishers make lenses for microscopes, telescopes, and other optical equipment.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to lens grinders and polishers.

Common work activities

Lens grinders and polishers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, lens grinders and polishers:

Interpersonal relationships

Physical work conditions

Work performance

Hours/travel

Physical demands

Lens grinders and polishers frequently:

It is important for lens grinders and polishers to be able to:

It is not as important, but still necessary, for lens grinders and polishers to be able to:

Skills and abilities

Lens grinders and polishers need to:

Communicate

Reason and problem solve

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Work with things

Perceive and visualize

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a lens grinder and polisher, you typically need to:

Education after high school

Some lens grinders and polishers complete formal training programs at professional-technical schools. These programs cover topics such as optical theory and lens surfacing and finishing. You also learn to read and apply prescriptions. These programs run from six months to a year. When you finish, you usually earn a certificate.

On-the-job training

Most lens grinders and polishers learn their skills on the job. You begin by learning simple tasks, such as marking or blocking lenses for grinding. As you gain experience you learn lens grinding, cutting, edging, and eyeglass assembly. This training can last up to one year.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be optical laboratory technicians. Training lasts 21 to 26 weeks, depending on your specialty. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers prefer to hire lens grinders and polishers who have a high school diploma or equivalent. Employers look for people who have good manual dexterity. They also look for people who are able to do very detailed work and follow directions.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link).

Wages

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians (SOC 51-9083)

Location
Pay Period
10%
25%
Median
75%
90%
Washington Hourly $12.47 $14.26 $18.76 $22.26 $25.43
Monthly $2,161 $2,471 $3,251 $3,858 $4,407
Yearly $25,940 $29,660 $39,020 $46,300 $52,890
    Bremerton-Silverdale Hourly $13.18 $18.62 $23.30 $27.40 $29.83
Monthly $2,284 $3,227 $4,038 $4,748 $5,170
Yearly $27,424 $38,731 $48,475 $56,986 $62,042
    Olympia-Tumwater Hourly $12.19 $14.00 $17.97 $21.41 $23.77
Monthly $2,113 $2,426 $3,114 $3,710 $4,119
Yearly $25,370 $29,126 $37,380 $44,531 $49,444
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Hourly $12.93 $14.66 $19.37 $22.71 $25.15
Monthly $2,241 $2,541 $3,357 $3,936 $4,358
Yearly $26,897 $30,489 $40,292 $47,228 $52,315
    Spokane-Spokane Valley Hourly $12.52 $14.74 $18.62 $27.92 $30.75
Monthly $2,170 $2,554 $3,227 $4,839 $5,329
Yearly $26,031 $30,655 $38,730 $58,089 $63,958
    Vancouver Hourly $12.67 $14.70 $18.02 $22.49 $25.71
Monthly $2,196 $2,548 $3,123 $3,898 $4,456
Yearly $26,361 $30,569 $37,491 $46,774 $53,491
United States Hourly $10.75 $12.56 $15.30 $19.07 $24.13
Monthly $1,863 $2,177 $2,651 $3,305 $4,182
Yearly $22,360 $26,120 $31,830 $39,660 $50,200

Some workers belong to unions. These workers tend to earn higher wages than non-union workers. Wages also vary by area of the country.

Lens grinders and polishers who work full time often receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians (SOC 51-9083)

Location Current employment Growth over 10 years Annual openings
This
occupation
All
occupations
Washington 1,571 20.9% 16.1% 257
    Benton and Franklin Counties 33 9.1% 15.0% 4
    Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties 27 3.7% 11.9% 3
    Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties 82 31.7% 14.1% 15
    King County 1,142 24.5% 19.6% 198
    Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties 18 16.7% 13.8% 2
    Pierce County 98 22.4% 15.2% 16
    Snohomish County 19 5.3% 12.4% 2
    Spokane County 47 4.3% 13.9% 5
United States 29,400 11.2% 5.2% 4,100

National employment

Major employers:

Optical laboratories manufacture eyewear to sell at retail stores. Scientific instrument manufacturers make lenses for instruments such as telescopes or binoculars. Lens grinder and polisher positions are found throughout the nation. Optical manufacturers or laboratories tend to be located in larger cities.

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be strong. The population of middle-aged and older individuals will increase in the next decade, which is around the age that most people will need to buy corrective lenses. Demand for these workers is also related to fashion trends, which influence how many pairs of glasses people buy.

Procedures such as laser surgery may reduce the number of people who need glasses but overall, should not reduce the need for reading glasses and other corrective measures.

Job openings will occur as current workers retire or leave the occupation. Since this occupation is small, the number of openings will also be small.

Other resources

American Optometric Association (external link)
243 North Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
800.365.2219
Explore Health Careers: Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician (external link)
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician (external link)
(Career Cornerstone Center)
Washington Business Week (external link)
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Career path

O*Net (external link) occupation

O*Net job zone (external link)

DOT occupations

Holland occupational cluster

COPSystem