Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Baltimore, MD
Opticians, Dispensing in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median $48,320 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,074 take-home, or $3,256 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Baltimore, MD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,618
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,996
- Medicare (1.45%)$701
- Maryland income tax$1,932
- Take-home pay$39,074
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.75% state
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Baltimore, MD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,380 | $17.49 | $30,047 | $2,504 |
| 25th percentile | $42,790 | $20.57 | $34,893 | $2,908 |
| Median (50th) | $48,320 | $23.23 | $39,074 | $3,256 |
| 75th percentile | $56,520 | $27.17 | $45,273 | $3,773 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,600 | $30.10 | $49,869 | $4,156 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maryland resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,320 buys in Baltimore, MD
Prices in Baltimore, MD are 4.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.18× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $39,074 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,396 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Opticians, Dispensing jobs are less concentrated in Baltimore, MD than nationally (location quotient 0.78), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Baltimore, MD ranks #28 of 37 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $71,050 | $55,574 | $49,371 |
| 2 | Orlando, FL | $59,120 | $49,683 | $48,988 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $64,170 | $50,752 | $46,877 |
| 4 | Tampa, FL | $56,030 | $47,200 | $46,784 |
| 5 | Sacramento, CA | $62,240 | $49,597 | $46,496 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $52,060 | $43,361 | $46,166 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $52,300 | $44,203 | $45,883 |
| 8 | Miami, FL | $61,880 | $51,901 | $45,465 |
| 28 | Baltimore, MD | $48,320 | $39,074 | $37,396 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 37 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Baltimore, MD?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $48,320 a year, or about $23.23 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,790 and $56,520.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Baltimore, MD?
On the median $48,320 salary, a single filer living in Maryland takes home about $39,074 a year ($3,256 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,932 in Maryland taxes in 2026.
Is Baltimore, MD a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 4.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,396 would in a typical U.S. city. Baltimore, MD ranks #28 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Baltimore, MD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baltimore, MD is $1,511 a month ($1,857 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baltimore, MD
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Physicians, All Other — $218,770
- Dentists, General — $172,110
- Veterinarian — $162,930
- Physician Assistant — $138,790
- Pharmacist — $138,110
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,990
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $128,610
- Dental Hygienist — $116,130
- Physical Therapist — $105,810
- Occupational Therapist — $105,490