- Salary statistics
- Eyeglass optics
Eyeglass optics
41 000 - 46 500 kr / month
Women earn 113% of what men do.
Hälso- & sjukvård
Salary progression Eyeglass optics
What does an optician do? – Tasks and work environment
An optician specializes in examining vision, diagnosing visual impairments, and prescribing glasses or contact lenses. The profession involves daily interactions with customers in stores or clinics, including advanced eye examinations and advice on frames and lenses. Opticians often work closely with ophthalmologists and can also identify eye diseases requiring further investigation. The work environment is characterized by high demands for accuracy, service, and professional conduct, as the work involves direct contact with customers and patients.
Salary development over time
The salary for opticians has shown a clear upward trend in recent years. In 2022, the average salary was 41,700 SEK per month, which increased to 43 600 SEK in 2023. The latest recorded year, 2024, the average salary continues to rise to 45 800 SEK per month. This development corresponds to an increase of approximately 10% over three years, indicating strong demand for trained opticians. Factors behind the increase include technological advances in vision care and an increased need for specialized skills within the optical industry. Competition for qualified personnel also contributes to the positive salary trend.
Optician salary – complete overview
- Average salary: 45 800 SEK/month
- Lowest salary: 41,000 SEK/month (men), 44,700 SEK/month (women)
- Highest salary: 46,500 SEK/month
- Hourly wage: 275 SEK
- Gender differences: Women earn 113% of what men do (women 46,500 SEK, men 41,000 SEK)
- Regional differences: Data unavailable
Education and qualifications
To work as an optician, a higher education in optometry with a license from the National Board of Health and Welfare is required. The education includes both theoretical and practical components, with clinical practice being an important part. The profession demands high levels of technical skill, service ability, and precision.
- Optometry education: Higher education, 3 years (180 credits)
- License: Required, issued by the National Board of Health and Welfare
- Internship: Included as part of the education
- Prerequisites: Basic university eligibility and specific science subject requirements
- Further education: Opportunities for master's or specialization programs
Many opticians develop specialized expertise over time, for example in contact lenses or vision training, which can open new career paths and opportunities to work with more advanced eye care. The industry is also characterized by close, long-term customer relationships, often spanning many years.
Common benefits and compensations
Opticians are often offered benefits such as subsidized glasses, wellness allowances, professional development, and sometimes commissions related to sales. Occupational pension, health insurance, and opportunities for further training are also common in the profession. Working at larger chains can provide access to employee discounts and internal training programs.
Competition and challenges
The market for opticians is competitive, especially in larger cities with many players and chains. Digitalization and increased e-commerce have changed customer purchasing behavior, requiring both technological updates and personal service. Challenges include staying updated on new products and treatment methods, as well as managing a sometimes fast-paced workload. However, there are good job prospects, with reports of 375 job openings in the field. The industry requires continuous professional development to meet new demands and maintain competitiveness.
Tips for aspiring opticians
To succeed as an optician, attention to detail and a strong sense of precision are crucial during eye examinations and fitting glasses. Good communication skills facilitate interactions with customers and colleagues and help build trust. Being service-oriented and attentive makes it easier to understand customer needs and recommend suitable solutions. Flexibility is important, as workdays may vary between clinical tasks and sales. A willingness to learn new skills and stay updated on technological advances in optics contributes to personal growth and professional competence. The ability to work independently but also in teams is often advantageous, as collaborations with ophthalmologists and colleagues occur regularly. An interest in fashion and design can also be beneficial, especially when advising on frame choices and trends.
Key facts about opticians
- Education level: Higher education (3 years) with license
- Work environment: Store, clinic, or optical chain
- Typical employment: Privately employed staff
- Number of job openings: 375 within the profession
- Gender distribution: Women have the highest average salary within the profession
Career paths and future outlook
After three to five years in the profession, opportunities exist to specialize in areas such as contact lenses, pediatric optometry, or vision rehabilitation. Many opticians choose to pursue further education at the master's level to work with advanced visual problems or research. It is also common for experienced opticians to move into roles such as store manager, operations leader, or start their own practice. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service, no precise forecast is available for opticians due to limited data, but the profession is considered to have stable demand and good employment prospects. Technological development and increased focus on eye health are expected to sustain the need for skilled opticians in the future.
Frequently asked questions about opticians
- What does an optician earn?
- The average salary for an optician is 45 800 SEK per month. - What are the gender differences within the profession?
- Women earn on average 113% of what men do, with an average salary of 46,500 SEK. - What is required to become an optician?
- A three-year higher education in optometry and a license from the National Board of Health and Welfare are required. - What are common working environments for opticians?
- Most work in retail stores, optical chains, or clinics. - Are there good job opportunities?
- Yes, there are currently 375 job openings in the profession. - Can you specialize within the profession?
- Yes, opportunities exist to specialize in areas such as contact lenses or vision rehabilitation. - What are the most common benefits?
- Benefits such as subsidized glasses, wellness allowances, and professional development are common.
Salary distributed by age and sector
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39900 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45200 kr | 46500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 0 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 44700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39900 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45200 kr | 46500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 0 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 44700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39900 kr | 41200 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 45200 kr | 46500 kr | |
| 55-64 | 0 kr | 48500 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 44700 kr | 45800 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 113% | 40000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 113% | 40000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snitt | 113% | 40000 kr | 41000 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39700 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 44700 kr | 46100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 52900 kr | 53300 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 45400 kr | 46500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39700 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 44700 kr | 46100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 52900 kr | 53300 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 45400 kr | 46500 kr |
| Age | Base salary | Monthly salary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-34 | 39700 kr | 40900 kr | |
| 35-44 | 44600 kr | 46000 kr | |
| 45-54 | 44700 kr | 46100 kr | |
| 55-64 | 52900 kr | 53300 kr | |
| Snitt | 113% | 45400 kr | 46500 kr |
About the data
All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.
All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.
Profession Eyeglass optics has the SSYK code 2284, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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