The route, drawn out
DWG 639B · 4 stops · 15 months to qualify-
Day one Start as an apprentice from £15.6k
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15 months Fully qualified around £23k
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+3–5 years Experienced up to £32k
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Then Dispensing optician (level 6) and GOC… next step
The first figures are legal minimums: the apprentice rate (£8.00/hr) and the National Minimum Wage for 18–20s and 21+ from April 2026, on a 37.5-hour week. Qualified and experienced pay are indicative UK ranges — most employers pay apprentices above the minimum.
What the job is
Optical assistants run the practical side of an opticians: taking pre-screening measurements, helping people choose frames that suit their prescription and face, taking the measurements a lens is cut to, and fitting and adjusting the finished glasses.
It is a retail-facing clinical role with a clear qualification ladder, and the large chains recruit apprentices continuously. Many optical assistants go on to become dispensing opticians, which is a registered profession with substantially higher pay.
A typical day
- Carry out pre-screening tests and take measurements
- Help customers choose frames and lens options
- Measure and fit spectacles accurately
- Adjust, repair and maintain eyewear
- Manage appointments, records and stock
How you get in
- Usually GCSE grade 3-4 (D-C) in English and maths, or Functional Skills
- Good with people — this is a customer-facing role
- Accuracy with small measurements
- Some employers run a short numeracy assessment
Where it leads
- Dispensing optician (level 6) and GOC registration
- Contact lens optician specialism
- Practice or store management
- Optometry via a degree route
Where to train for this
7 colleges and training providers on our list cover Optical Assistant training. Open your region to see them, then check current intakes with the provider directly.