The optician's profession: an essential role
The optician's profession is at the heart of vision care. It involves adapting optical equipment in line with medical prescriptions, advising customers on the choice of glasses and contact lenses, and ensuring the fitting and adjustments required for optimum visual comfort. Opticians therefore play an essential role in improving their customers' eyesight, combining technical and interpersonal skills.
To find out more about this aspect of the profession, see our optician job description.
Factors influencing optician salaries
There are a host of criteria that help define an optician's remuneration. Many are contextual, while others are simply unpredictable. The following three, however, are imponderables and must be systematically taken into account:
- Level of training and qualifications: the level of training is a determining factor in an optician's salary. Graduates of a BTS Opticien-Lunetier can start out as salaried employees in optical stores, but those who continue their studies with a professional license or master's degree in optometry have access to better-paid positions.
- Region and place of work: geographical location also plays an important role in an optician's salary level. In general, salaries are higher in large conurbations and areas where the cost of living is higher. In Paris and the Île-de-France region, salaries are often higher than in the regions. However, competition is fierce.
- The importance of professional experience: professional experience is another lever for improving remuneration. An experienced optician who has developed recognized expertise, particularly in contactology or refraction, can claim a more attractive salary. What's more, the experience acquired can open the door to store management positions or the possibility of setting up one's own business.
Average salary for an optician in France
At the start of their career, salaried opticians can expect a gross monthly salary of around 1,800 to 2,200 euros, depending on the region and the type of structure (optical chain, independent store, etc.). These figures vary according to the criteria mentioned above.
With experience, an optician's remuneration improves significantly. After a few years of practice, a salaried optician can achieve a gross monthly salary of between 2,500 and 3,000 euros. The increase is even more marked for those who rise to positions of responsibility, such as store manager. Depending on the size of the company and the performance of the store, remuneration can even exceed these amounts.
Finally, independent opticians, i.e. those who own their own store, have potentially higher incomes, but this largely depends on the commercial success of their business. The sales generated by the store and the margin on the sale of frames and lenses directly influence their income. On average, an independent optician can achieve a gross annual income of between 40,000 and 70,000 euros, or even more for well-established stores, but this comes with additional burdens and responsibilities.
Development prospects and career opportunities
There are many opportunities for opticians to diversify their careers by applying for a variety ofoptician jobs. These include
- Becoming an optical store manager: for opticians wishing to progress, becoming an optical store manager is an interesting option. This position offers a higher salary, often with bonuses based on store sales.
- Open your own optical boutique: one of the goals of many opticians is to open their own boutique. This choice offers greater freedom in the exercise of the profession, but also requires business management skills and the ability to invest in stock and premises. While the risk is greater, profitability can be high for those who know how to attract and retain customers.
- Specialize in specific optical fields: opticians can also specialize in fields such as contactology, optometry or low vision. These specializations enable them to offer high value-added services and justify higher fees.
In short, opticians' salaries depend on many factors, from experience and specialization to region of practice. Career prospects are varied, enabling each optician to choose a path in line with his or her ambitions, be they store management, technical specialization or independence.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to find out more, take a look at our optician studies page.
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Optician Job Opening (M/F) - Marseille 1st Arrondissement
Employee
2500 - 3350 per month
Marseille 1er
An optical store in Marseille’s 1st arrondissement, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, is looking for a new optician (M/F) for a permanent position. Job Details - Permanent contract - Full-time (39 hours) - Monday through Sunday - 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Start date: as soon as possible The Company You’ll be joining an optical retailer focused on accessibility, prompt service, and a high volume of customers. In addition, the teams are made up of licensed opticians and optical consultants and follow a structured customer journey that includes consultation, eye exams, frame selection, sales, and follow-up. Compensation - €2,500 to €3,350 gross/month + bonus Responsibilities - Greeting and advising customers - Selling optical products - Taking measurements and fitting frames - Providing advice on frames, lenses, and lens coatings - Conducting eye exams using specialized equipment - Helping to maintain a professional store environment and adhering to the dress code - Contributing to revenue growth Benefits - Meal vouchers - Company health insurance - Transportation - Employee Representative Committee - Company-provided polo shirt - Dynamic sales environment with high customer traffic Equipment - SeeView software - NIDEK eye exam equipment That little extra Marseille offers a lively lifestyle with the Old Port nearby, a rich cultural heritage, and quick access to the Calanques for weekend outdoor activities. Qualifications Optician with a degree from France. - BTS in Optometry and Eyewear required - Recent graduates welcome Contact us at: 06 30 19 54 06 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 13105 Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our website and the Jober Group mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Optician jobs - Montmorency 95
Employee
2600 - 3000 per month
Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt
An optical store in Montmorency, in the Val-d'Oise department, is looking for a new optician or lens technician/sales associate (M/F) for a permanent position. Job Details Permanent Contract Full-time The Company You will join an optical store located in Montmorency, in the Val-d'Oise region, with a unique focus on low vision and contact lenses. The store also offers an online ophthalmology consultation service and has its own workshop for crafting custom frames—a rare asset that fully showcases the optician’s technical expertise. Furthermore, the product range extends from entry-level brands to the most prestigious luxury brands, including mid-range options, ensuring a diverse and discerning clientele. The team, led by an optician-manager with a recognized technical background in contact lens fitting, training, and ophthalmic assistance, consists of two apprentices, offering a close-knit, educational environment that fosters independence. Compensation Between €2,600 and €3,000 gross/month Variable, to be determined Responsibilities Customer reception and consultation Sales of optical equipment ranging from entry-level to luxury Handling contact lens fittings and low-vision care Assembling eyeglasses: rimmed, drilled, and diamond-cut Manufacturing custom frames in the workshop Fittings and Repairs Management of after-sales service, third-party billing, and invoicing Administrative tracking of customer records Equipment My Easy Optic software Dedicated eye exam area Telemedicine machine Specialized low-vision equipment Workshop for assembling and manufacturing custom frames Approximately 2,000 frames available in-store Benefits 50% coverage by health insurance Group bonus based on revenue and potential for individual bonuses Performance-based compensation based on skills A learning-oriented environment with high-level technical guidance Custom-made manufacturing workshop where you can fully showcase your expertise A selection of frames ranging from leading luxury brands to entry-level options Facility equipped for eye exams, telemedicine, contact lens fitting, and low vision care Parking and public transportation nearby That Extra Special Touch The location offers an excellent balance between a neighborhood lifestyle and easy access to Paris. The area is also close to wooded areas such as the Montmorency Forest, perfect for weekend walks and outdoor activities. Qualifications Optometrist licensed in France. Contact us at: 06 30 19 54 06 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 12729 Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our website and the Jober Group mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
Optician - Châtellerault 86
Employee
2400 - 2600 per month
Châtellerault
An optical store located in Châtellerault, near Poitiers, is looking for a new optician (M/F) for a permanent position. Job Details - Permanent contract - 35-hour workweek (one 4-day week and one 5-day week) - Store open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 3 Saturdays worked per month The Company You’ll join a company ideally located in Châtellerault and become part of an experienced, dedicated, and organized team within a professional yet friendly work environment. In addition, the company places great importance on supporting its employees and offers several training programs to help them develop their skills: in-house training, continuing professional development (CPD) courses, as well as more specialized professional training (contact lens fitting, low vision, eye exams, etc.). Finally, the store is equipped with state-of-the-art, high-end equipment for conducting eye exams, including NIDEK equipment. Compensation - Annual gross salary ranging from €28,800 to €36,000 (excluding variable compensation), to be determined based on your profile and experience - Monthly sales bonuses Responsibilities - Conducting eye exams and optometric tests - Fitting and adjusting lenses and frames - Selling vision solutions and providing customer advice - Adjusting and repairing frames - Managing orders and inventory - Contributing to the store’s sales and promotional activities Benefits - Free parking - €9 meal vouchers (employee contribution: €3.60) - 100% coverage of health insurance premiums - National works council Qualifications Optician with a degree from France (BTS required). Sales-oriented and dynamic candidate. Position open to recent graduates. Contact us at: 06 30 19 54 06 or by email at [email protected] Job posting ID: 12164 Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our website and the Jober Group mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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