- Salary statistics
- Optician's assistant
Optician's assistant
33 936 - 32 693 kr / month
Försäljning & inköp
Salary progression Optician's assistant
What does an optician assistant do? – Tasks and work environment
An optician assistant works closely with opticians and is responsible for welcoming customers, assisting with eye examinations, and handling simpler administrative tasks in stores that sell glasses and contact lenses. Common tasks include helping customers choose frames, booking appointments, managing orders, and maintaining the store's inventory and stock. Optician assistants usually work in a retail setting with a high focus on customer service and close collaboration with other staff. The work pace can vary depending on the season and demand, but the role requires good service skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Salary development over time
Over the past three years, salaries for optician assistants have shown a clear upward trend. In 2022, the average salary was 28,200 SEK per month, increasing to 30 100 SEK in 2023. In 2024, the average salary reached 32 693 SEK. This development corresponds to an increase of approximately 16% over three years. The positive salary trend can be linked to increased demand for optician assistants as more stores offer eye examinations and a broader range of optical products. At the same time, employers have needed to offer more competitive salaries to attract and retain skilled staff in the profession.
Optician assistant salary – comprehensive overview
- Average salary: 32 693 SEK/month
- Lowest/Highest salary: Data not available
- Hourly wage: 196 SEK/hour
- Gender differences: Data not available
- Regional differences: Data not available
Education and qualifications
To work as an optician assistant, a university degree is usually not required, but employers prefer applicants with high school education and experience from service roles. Some employers offer internal training and onboarding at the workplace. Practical experience from retail or sales is often advantageous, and there are opportunities to supplement with shorter courses in optics and customer service.
- High school education: Business and administration programs or similar
- Internal training: Common in larger optical chains
- Courses: Courses in optics, eye examinations, and customer service are advantageous
- Internship: Practical experience from retail environments is beneficial
- Prerequisites: Good knowledge of Swedish and a service-oriented attitude
Many optician assistants quickly expand their responsibilities and can become specialists in areas such as eyewear consultation or contact lenses. This makes the profession dynamic and rewarding for those who want to grow within retail and customer service.
Common benefits and compensations
Optician assistants are often offered benefits such as staff discounts on glasses and contact lenses, wellness allowances, and sometimes bonus-based compensation linked to sales. Additional advantages may include training support and flexible working hours, especially in larger chains.
Competition and challenges
The job market for optician assistants is relatively stable, but competition for the most attractive positions can be high, especially in urban areas. A challenge is that the profession requires flexibility and the ability to quickly familiarize oneself with new products and routines. Since the role often involves direct contact with customers, high demands are placed on social skills and stress resilience. Work during evenings and weekends may also occur, requiring good planning skills. Technological changes within the optical industry mean that the role is evolving, and it is important to stay updated on new products and tools.
Tips for those who want to become an optician assistant
To succeed as an optician assistant, it is good to have a genuine interest in people and a clear sense of service. Being communicative and attentive facilitates interactions with customers and colleagues. Accuracy is an important trait, especially when handling orders and customer data. Showing initiative and being flexible is appreciated by employers, especially when the pace is high or tasks need to change quickly. A positive attitude and willingness to learn new things provide good opportunities for development within the profession. For those interested in fashion or technology, there are additional opportunities to deepen product knowledge and trends. Finally, being resilient and solution-oriented is an advantage, as the work environment can sometimes be challenging.
Key facts about the optician assistant profession
- Education level: High school education, often supplemented with internal training
- Work environment: Retail setting with customer contact and varying pace
- Work form: Full-time or part-time, often including evenings and weekends
- Available jobs: Approximately 550 current positions in Sweden
- Special skills: Product knowledge, customer service, and basic optics
Career paths and future prospects
After three to five years in the profession, an optician assistant can develop into specialist roles such as eyewear consulting, contact lens advising, or store manager. Some choose to further their education to become licensed opticians or to pursue sales and training roles within the optical industry. According to the Swedish Public Employment Service's forecasts, there is no specific assessment for optician assistants due to limited data, but the number of available jobs in the profession is relatively large. The industry is influenced by technological development and changing consumer patterns, which can open new career opportunities for those who are adaptable and interested in further education.
Frequently asked questions about the optician assistant profession
- What does an optician assistant earn?
- The average salary for an optician assistant is 32 693 SEK per month in 2024. - What education is required to become an optician assistant?
- High school education in commerce or service is common, supplemented with on-the-job training at the workplace. - What is the work environment like for optician assistants?
- The work takes place in a retail environment with lots of customer contact and a varied work pace. - Are there good job opportunities?
- There are approximately 550 available jobs in the profession, indicating a relatively good demand. - What personal qualities are important?
- Customer service skills, accuracy, flexibility, and good communication skills are important qualities. - What is the hourly wage for optician assistants?
- The average hourly wage is 196 SEK. - Can I further my education within the profession?
- There are opportunities to develop into specialist roles or to train as a licensed optician.
Salary distributed by age and sector
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 Optician's assistant has the SSYK code 5224, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.
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