NOC 32100: Opticians
Opticians assist clients in the selection of eyeglass frames, take the necessary measurements and arrange for the production of eyeglasses or contact lenses, mount lenses in eyeglass frames and fit clients with final prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They are employed in optical retail outlets or other establishments with optical dispensing departments, or they may be self-employed. Student opticians and opticians who are managers of optical retail outlets are included in this unit group.
Official Main Duties for NOC 32100
Select the duties you perform in your actual job. Under IRCC guidelines, you must perform at least 60% of these duties for a successful work permit or PR reference letter.
Your employer reference letter must confirm you performed the main actions described in the duties above. Avoid copying words directly from the NOC description — officers expect natural job descriptions with specific company context.
Canadian Labour Market & PR Pathways for NOC 32100
Under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0), Opticians is categorized under TEER 2. Occupations in this tier typically require completion of a 2- to 3-year post-secondary diploma, apprenticeship training, or specialized technical certifications.
Express Entry Alignment
Qualifies directly for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) under Express Entry. Work experience must be full-time (or equivalent part-time) and continuous for at least one year.
Target Category Status
Currently evaluated under standard General and CEC invitation rounds, or targeted through provincial in-demand lists such as Ontario (OINP), British Columbia (BC PNP), or Alberta (AAIP).
NOC 2016 to NOC 2021 Transition & Equivalency
Under Canada's previous NOC 2016 classification, this occupation was mapped under the following 4-digit code(s). When preparing your Express Entry profile or work reference letters, you must use the new 5-digit code NOC 32100.
Regional Wages Across Canada
Under Canadian immigration law, an employer hiring you under an LMIA must pay you at least the median wage listed below for your province.
| Province / Territory | Low Wage | Median Wage | High Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (National Average) | $17.8 | $28.5/hr | $39.4 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador → | $20.43/hr | $29.59/hr | $38.51/hr |
| Nova Scotia → | $22.08/hr | $28.07/hr | $32.41/hr |
| New Brunswick → | $20.73/hr | $28.5/hr | $34.3/hr |
| Quebec → | $17/hr | $30/hr | $36.5/hr |
| Ontario → | $17.8/hr | $24.04/hr | $42.8/hr |
| Manitoba → | $21.16/hr | $29.69/hr | $37.86/hr |
| Saskatchewan → | $22.24/hr | $30.1/hr | $36.51/hr |
| Alberta → | $17.36/hr | $28/hr | $39.4/hr |
| British Columbia → | $22/hr | $30.82/hr | $38.46/hr |
🏙️Top Metropolitan Cities Wage Rates (ESDC 2025/2026)
Economic Region BenchmarksOfficial ESDC prevailing median wages across major Canadian metropolitan regions. Crucial for LMIA prevailing wage compliance and local job offer evaluations.
Employment Requirements
These are the education, training, and certification standards usually required by Canadian employers for this occupation:
- Completion of a two- or three-year college program in ophthalmic dispensing or optical sciences is required.
- Licensing by a regulatory body for opticians is required in all provinces.
- Licensing requirements for scope of practice and protected titles related to the sale or dispensing and fitting of contact lenses vary by province.
Official Job Titles for NOC 32100
25 Titles ListedIf your current job title matches any of these official examples, this NOC code is likely the right choice for your Express Entry reference letter:
Exclusions (Similar Jobs with Different Codes)
Check this list to make sure your actual job is not classified under one of these related codes:
- Dispensing opticians office manager (See 60020 Retail and wholesale trade managers)View NOC 60020→
- Ocularist (See 32129 Other medical technologists and technicians)View NOC 32129→
- Ophthalmologist (See 31101 Specialists in surgery)View NOC 31101→
- Optical laboratory technician (See 33109 Other assisting occupations in support of health services)View NOC 33109→
- Optometrists (See 31111 Optometrists)View NOC 31111→
Frequently Asked Questions for NOC 32100 (Opticians)
Essential answers regarding Express Entry eligibility, LMIA prevailing wage compliance, and official reference letter rules.
Check Your Express Entry Score & Latest Cutoffs
Calculate your exact Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score for NOC 32100, explore your TEER 2 immigration pathways, and check recent draw cutoffs.