Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Charlotte, NC
Opticians, Dispensing in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $51,620 a year — 9% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,106 take-home, or $3,509 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,014
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,200
- Medicare (1.45%)$748
- North Carolina income tax$1,551
- Take-home pay$42,106
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 | $31,996 | $2,666 |
| 25th percentile | $43,820 | $21.07 | $36,150 | $3,012 |
| Median (50th) | $51,620 | $24.82 | $42,106 | $3,509 |
| 75th percentile | $76,850 | $36.95 | $60,336 | $5,028 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,910 | $39.38 | $63,694 | $5,308 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $51,620 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $42,106 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,253 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 Charlotte, NC than nationally (location quotient 0.76), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #12 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 |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | $51,620 | $42,106 | $43,253 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 37 metros →
Opticians, Dispensing salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $47,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Charlotte, NC?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $51,620 a year, or about $24.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $43,820 and $76,850.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $51,620 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $42,106 a year ($3,509 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,551 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 9% above the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,253 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #12 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $189,220
- Pharmacist — $150,580
- Physician Assistant — $133,140
- Nurse Practitioner — $130,310
- Veterinarian — $129,080
- Physical Therapist — $101,060
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $98,650
- Occupational Therapist — $98,450
- Dental Hygienist — $98,390
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $90,960