Opticians are charged with fitting people with eyewear and selecting the right type for their eyes and lifestyle. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, then you’re probably used to visiting an optician on a regular basis.

An optician is “the first person you work with outside of the optometrist or ophthalmologist that really helps you fit the perfect pair of glasses,” says optician Pierce Voorthuis.

Opticians typically work in stores that sell eyewear or in private practice, sometimes inside medical practices that also offer other types of optometry services. Their job has a style component, too, since customers also want their glasses to look good. Opticians also need to know how to use various tools and measuring devices to ensure a good fit on customers’ faces.

“The fun thing about opticianry is there’s a huge fashion component,” Voorthuis says. ”There’s also the satisfaction of really helping someone with a medical need.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.7% employment growth for opticians between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,000 jobs should open up.

Opticians usually get on-the-job training, but some opt for a two-year associate degree in opticianry as well. Specific requirements vary by state, with about half of states requiring a license, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Washington, D.C., where Voorthuis works, does not require that opticians be licensed. Those new to the field often have backgrounds in jobs with a customer service focus in retail or the restaurant industry, Voorthuis says.

Some opticians start out in apprenticeships that can be completed in two years or more.

“They kind of start working at an eyeglass store and really get an understanding of the job from the inside out,” Voorthuis says.

A bachelor’s degree is not required. Opticians can become certified in eyeglass or contact lens dispensing after passing exams from the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners.