SOC 2020 · 3211
Dispensing opticians
Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations from
Skilled Worker
Not eligible
No Skilled Worker route through this code.
Salary floor
£41,700
The general threshold, £41,700, is the higher of the two.
Shortage lists
Not listed
This code is on neither the Immigration Salary List nor the Temporary Shortage List.
What this occupation actually pays
ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, full-time gross annual pay.
ONS has not published enough of the pay distribution for Dispensing opticians in UK to draw it. The figures we do hold are shown above.
| Region | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2025 | — | — | £28,543 | — | — |
| North West 2025 | — | — | £27,275 | — | — |
| South East 2025 | — | — | £23,296 | — | — |
| South West 2025 | — | — | £27,214 | — | — |
Job titles in this code
What the work involves
Dispensing opticians supply, fit and service spectacles, contact lenses and other optical aids in accordance with a prescription from an optician or optometrist.
Typical tasks
interprets prescription and measures patient’s face to determine distance between pupil centres, height of bridge of nose, etc.
advises patient on lens type and choice of spectacle frames
prepares detailed instructions for workshop
ensures that completed spectacles conform to specification and fit the patient correctly and comfortably
fits spectacles and advises patient on lens care and any other difficulties likely to be experienced
Entry routes and qualifications
Entry is most common with GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications or experience, followed by up to three years training approved by the General Optical Council (GOC). To practice entrants must pass professional exams and register with the GOC. Full-time, day-release or distance-learning options are available.