Opticians, Dispensing Salary
Opticians, Dispensing earn a median $47,260 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What opticians, dispensing do
Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 5,600
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of opticians, dispensing is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Opticians, Dispensing take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,491
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,930
- Medicare (1.45%)$685
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,153
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,610 | $17.12 | $30,793 |
| 25th percentile | $38,820 | $18.66 | $33,372 |
| Median (50th) | $47,260 | $22.72 | $40,153 |
| 75th percentile | $61,700 | $29.66 | $51,756 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,750 | $36.90 | $62,824 |
Best cities for opticians, dispensing (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $71,050 | $55,574 | $49,371 | 3,460 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $56,130 | $45,133 | $39,742 | 3,070 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $44,530 | $35,900 | $34,655 | 2,420 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $71,050
- Los Angeles, CA — $56,130
- Chicago, IL — $44,530
Opticians, Dispensing salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 | +16.2% | $59,237 | $48,700 – $85,070 | 610 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 | +34.2% | $57,611 | $41,080 – $80,910 | 110 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 | +9.4% | $57,350 | $47,110 – $85,020 | 2,010 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 | +5.3% | $52,972 | $48,850 – $83,550 | 1,360 |
| New York | $63,880 | +6.3% | $50,655 | $43,060 – $81,200 | 3,520 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 | +3.7% | $48,904 | $45,190 – $86,110 | 80 |
| Florida | $58,850 | +3.4% | $49,466 | $36,510 – $75,480 | 5,080 |
| Alaska | $58,250 | +3.5% | $48,984 | $38,940 – $75,760 | 90 |
| California | $57,990 | +0.4% | $46,492 | $42,390 – $81,680 | 7,840 |
| Vermont | $57,350 | −0.3% | $46,773 | $41,600 – $76,850 | 70 |
| Virginia | $55,820 | +2.8% | $44,636 | $36,360 – $77,460 | 1,860 |
| New Hampshire | $51,980 | +5.2% | $43,946 | $41,130 – $66,670 | 440 |
| Ohio | $50,500 | +5.0% | $42,150 | $35,830 – $65,280 | 2,960 |
| North Carolina | $50,190 | +1.3% | $41,014 | $36,500 – $81,340 | 2,020 |
| Tennessee | $49,840 | +4.2% | $42,226 | $34,740 – $74,160 | 1,530 |
| Washington | $49,220 | +1.9% | $41,728 | $41,120 – $78,830 | 2,100 |
| Oregon | $49,210 | −0.7% | $38,244 | $39,480 – $76,750 | 1,000 |
| Maryland | $48,700 | +2.1% | $39,361 | $37,100 – $64,830 | 1,060 |
| Arizona | $48,210 | +3.6% | $39,920 | $39,890 – $75,300 | 1,400 |
| Minnesota | $48,020 | −2.0% | $39,014 | $36,920 – $67,490 | 1,490 |
| Georgia | $48,010 | +5.2% | $38,887 | $36,800 – $74,120 | 2,290 |
| South Carolina | $48,000 | +2.5% | $39,025 | $36,240 – $73,890 | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $47,400 | −5.9% | $39,105 | $38,480 – $77,130 | 350 |
| Colorado | $47,310 | +3.1% | $38,820 | $38,900 – $66,160 | 1,520 |
| Maine | $47,220 | +2.0% | $38,116 | $39,110 – $60,190 | 350 |
| Montana | $47,050 | +5.5% | $38,530 | $36,240 – $64,730 | 330 |
| Nevada | $46,910 | −1.4% | $39,872 | $38,090 – $84,660 | 960 |
| Delaware | $46,220 | +14.4% | $37,429 | $31,200 – $60,790 | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,450 | +3.3% | $37,304 | $36,160 – $58,450 | 2,230 |
| North Dakota | $45,230 | +9.3% | $38,522 | $37,220 – $56,100 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $44,820 | +3.5% | $37,002 | $36,680 – $60,320 | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $44,480 | +6.4% | $36,881 | $37,270 – $53,790 | 920 |
| Kentucky | $44,290 | −0.5% | $36,334 | $30,190 – $65,130 | 950 |
| Illinois | $43,960 | +6.6% | $35,471 | $37,080 – $62,830 | 3,250 |
| Idaho | $43,950 | +10.8% | $36,273 | $34,730 – $75,300 | 530 |
| South Dakota | $43,400 | +5.8% | $37,052 | $32,390 – $49,730 | 430 |
| Arkansas | $42,880 | −5.6% | $35,174 | $30,100 – $73,890 | 690 |
| Utah | $41,780 | +5.1% | $34,836 | $35,680 – $76,750 | 700 |
| Michigan | $41,180 | +3.3% | $33,769 | $34,610 – $52,090 | 3,080 |
| Kansas | $40,140 | +5.9% | $32,992 | $36,050 – $48,480 | 630 |
| Nebraska | $39,830 | +2.5% | $33,251 | $35,800 – $52,670 | 870 |
| Indiana | $39,370 | +4.3% | $32,682 | $31,930 – $49,960 | 2,010 |
| Wyoming | $39,100 | +3.2% | $33,597 | $33,110 – $53,840 | 130 |
| New Mexico | $39,090 | +5.9% | $32,875 | $31,010 – $72,920 | 340 |
| Missouri | $38,750 | +4.8% | $32,432 | $34,110 – $54,810 | 1,600 |
| Texas | $38,720 | +6.4% | $33,292 | $29,970 – $58,240 | 6,700 |
| West Virginia | $38,120 | −0.9% | $31,773 | $31,250 – $52,370 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $37,940 | +5.0% | $31,503 | $29,530 – $54,310 | 730 |
| Alabama | $36,880 | +3.7% | $30,234 | $31,000 – $47,720 | 880 |
| Mississippi | $36,680 | +3.2% | $30,917 | $28,180 – $47,210 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $36,360 | +4.2% | $30,691 | $28,840 – $46,870 | 720 |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician | $47,380 | Associate's degree | +9.4% |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.4% |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,570 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +21.4% |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +22.3% |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,470 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.8% |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,290 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.9% |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,140 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.8% |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,640 | Associate's degree | +2.7% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make?
The national median salary for opticians, dispensing is $47,260 a year ($22.72 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,610 and the top 10% earn over $76,750. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays opticians, dispensing the most?
Connecticut has the highest median pay at $75,300. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many opticians, dispensing are there in the U.S.?
About 73,530 people work as opticians, dispensing nationwide.