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How to hire an optical manager

Optical manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring optical managers in the United States:

  • There are currently 4,247 optical managers in the US, as well as 6,274 job openings.
  • Optical managers are in the highest demand in New York, NY, with 7 current job openings.
  • The median cost to hire an optical manager is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new optical manager to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire an optical manager, step by step

To hire an optical manager, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a optical manager:

Here's a step-by-step optical manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an optical manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new optical manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an optical manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    An optical manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, optical managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of optical managers.

    Type of Optical ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Optical ManagerDispensing opticians help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They also help customers decide which eyeglass frames or contact lenses to buy.$5-62
    Licensed OpticianA licensed optician is responsible for attending to clients with eye care needs and recommends eyewear selection according to the optometrist's advice. Licensed opticians order the frames and lenses and ensure that the measurement would fit according to the instructions... Show more$15-30
    Optician ApprenticeAn optician apprentice is an assistant to a certified optician whose responsibilities include designing, measuring, and fitting lenses and frames for clients. Optician apprentices assist clients with picking out frames of their choice and within their budgets, measuring customer size for fitting, and ensuring a good face- eyeglass match... Show more$13-23
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Patients
    • Payroll
    • Customer Satisfaction
    • Customer Complaints
    • Customer Service
    • Patient Care
    • ABO
    • HIPAA
    • R
    • Financial Reports
    • VSP
    • Optical Products
    • Inventory Control
    • Ophthalmology
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage patients vision benefits and do comparative analysis of benefits vs. promotions.
    • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
    • Install data and voice cabling, Cat6 and Cat5e.
    • Maintain a well HIPPA policy environment.
    • Submit billing for both eyem and VSP.
    • Authorize and bill vision insurance online for VSP and eyem.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your optical manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An optical manager can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, optical managers' average salary in oklahoma is 56% less than in oregon.
    • Seniority. Entry-level optical managers 92% less than senior-level optical managers.
    • Certifications. An optical manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an optical manager's salary.

    Average optical manager salary

    $39,584yearly

    $19.03 hourly rate

    Entry-level optical manager salary
    $11,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025
  4. Writing an optical manager job description

    A good optical manager job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an optical manager job description:

    Optical manager job description example

    • A licensed dispensing optician in states that require a license (or an ABO-certified optician in non-licensing states) who's been in a management position for 2+ years
    • A strong leader and mentor who exhibits model behavior, drives optical metrics, and adheres to strict optical standards
    • Able to operate with a high sense of professionalism and open-mindedness when making decisions on behalf of the team
    • Passionate about the eyewear and retail industries
    • A clear and effective communicator—you can break down technical terms for customers to easily understand
    • Dedicated to going above-and-beyond to make customers (and your teammates!) happy
    • Detail-oriented, organized, and capable of prioritizing tasks and responsibilities for yourself and your team in a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment
    • Someone who takes your work very seriously, but not yourself
    • Not on the Office of Inspector General's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE)

    Some benefits of working at Warby Parker for Full-Time Employees:

    • Health, vision, and dental insurance
    • Life and AD&D Insurance
    • Flexible vacation policy
    • Paid Holidays
    • Retirement savings plan with a company match
    • Parental leave (non-birthing parents included)
    • Short-term disability
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Bereavement Support
    • Optical Education Reimbursement
    • Free eyewear
    • And more (just ask!)

    About Us:

    Warby Parker was founded with a mission: to inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style.

    We're constantly asking ourselves how we can do more and make a greater impact—and that starts by reimagining everything that a company and industry can be. We want to demonstrate that a business can scale, be profitable, and do good in the world—without charging a premium for it. And we've learned that it takes creativity, empathy, and innovation to achieve that goal.

    Since the day we launched in 2010, we've pioneered ideas, designed products, and developed technologies that help people see. We offer everything our customers need for happier eyes at a price that leaves them with money in their pockets, from designer-quality glasses and contacts to eye exams and vision tests.

    Ultimately, we believe in vision for all, which is why for every pair of glasses or sunglasses we sell, a pair of glasses is distributed to someone in need through our Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program. Over eight million pairs of glasses have been distributed in over 50 countries; that means eight million people now have the glasses they need to learn, work, and achieve better economic outcomes.

    At Warby Parker, you can look forward to company outings and events, volunteering and learning opportunities, and just great company filled with curious, kind folks. Dreaming up and sharing ideas aren't responsibilities reserved for certain teams or leaders; the challenge (a really fun one) of innovation is on all of our shoulders. Teammates can also connect around common interests, backgrounds, and identities, no matter their home base, through our various employee resource groups. (We're happy to say that the Human Rights Campaign has named us a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ employees!) That sense of community and belonging keeps us excited to walk through the door every day, wherever that door may be.

    We're driven to continue building a workplace, based on inclusive behaviors and equitable systems, where all employees can bring their authentic selves, feel engaged, and share their perspectives as a valued member of Team Warby. Transparency is what we're all about, and our annual Impact Report and Racial Equity Strategy lay out how we're sticking to these values.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right optical manager for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your optical manager job on Zippia to find and attract quality optical manager candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit optical managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new optical manager

    Once you've selected the best optical manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an optical manager?

Recruiting optical managers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $39,584 per year for an optical manager, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for optical managers in the US typically range between $5 and $62 an hour.

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