UK AI Job-Risk Index · SOC 2010 2214
Ranks #151 of 293 for AI exposure (1 = most exposed)
How exposed to AI are ophthalmic opticians?
53/100
AI exposure score (percentile across all 365 occupations DfE scored)
Medium#151
of 293 UK occupations (1 = most exposed)
£44,405
median full-time pay (ONS ASHE 2020) · 11,000 employee jobs
Ophthalmic opticians sits in the medium exposure band: its abilities overlap with current AI applications more than about 53% of the 365 UK occupations the Department for Education scored. Lower exposure usually means more of the work depends on physical, practical or in-person abilities that current AI applications do not cover well. It does not mean the job will be untouched by technology.
Underlying scores: AIOE (all AI) 0.24, LLM exposure 0.02 (standardised; 0 is the average occupation). Skill level: Level 4. Pay and job counts are 2020 figures, so use them to compare occupations rather than as current salaries.
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Job titles in this occupation
Titles the ONS SOC 2010 coding index places in unit group 2214. If your job title is here, this page uses the right figures for you.
optician · optologist · optometrist · ophthalmic optician
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Lower-risk related jobs
Occupations in the same SOC 2010 sub-major group with a lower AI exposure score, highest-paid first. Pay difference is against £44,405 (ONS ASHE 2020 median, full-time). Switching usually needs retraining; this is a starting point, not advice.
| Occupation | Exposure | Median pay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinarians | 48/100 | £39,221 | −£5,184 |
| Midwives | 52/100 | £38,661 | −£5,744 |
| Medical radiographers | 46/100 | £37,324 | −£7,081 |
| Physiotherapists | 42/100 | £33,479 | −£10,926 |
Occupations with similar exposure
- Air transport operatives (53/100)
- Nurses (54/100)
- Science, engineering and production technicians n.e.c. (53/100)
- Security guards and related occupations (54/100)
FAQ: Ophthalmic opticians and AI
Will AI replace ophthalmic opticians?
The index does not predict job losses. Ophthalmic opticians has an AI exposure score of 53/100 (medium band), ranking #151 of 293 UK occupations, where 1 is the most exposed. Lower exposure means more of the work relies on abilities current AI applications cover less well.
How does this compare with similar jobs?
Ophthalmic opticians is one of 14 occupations in its SOC 2010 sub-major group in the index; 9 of the others are more exposed to AI.
How much do ophthalmic opticians earn?
Median gross annual pay for full-time employees was £44,405 in ONS ASHE 2020 (Table 14), across about 11,000 employee jobs. These are 2020 figures, so use them to compare jobs rather than as current salaries.
Which related jobs are less exposed to AI?
In the same sub-major group, lower-exposure occupations include Veterinarians (48/100, £39,221), Midwives (52/100, £38,661), Medical radiographers (46/100, £37,324).
Where does this data come from?
AI exposure uses Department for Education (2023) AI Occupational Exposure (AIOE) scores; pay and job counts come from ONS ASHE 2020. Job titles come from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index.
Source: Department for Education (2023), The impact of AI on UK jobs and training (AIOE scores); ONS ASHE 2020 Table 14; job titles from the ONS SOC 2010 coding index (v7). Exposure is not a prediction of job loss. Methodology · Embed this data
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