Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Chicago, IL
Opticians, Dispensing in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $44,530 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,900 take-home, or $2,992 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,164
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,761
- Medicare (1.45%)$646
- Illinois income tax$2,059
- Take-home pay$35,900
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,530 | $18.04 | $30,622 | $2,552 |
| 25th percentile | $39,230 | $18.86 | $31,904 | $2,659 |
| Median (50th) | $44,530 | $21.41 | $35,900 | $2,992 |
| 75th percentile | $48,750 | $23.44 | $39,082 | $3,257 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,560 | $30.56 | $50,249 | $4,187 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,530 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $35,900 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,655 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 about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #33 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 |
| 33 | Chicago, IL | $44,530 | $35,900 | $34,655 |
*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 Chicago, IL?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $44,530 a year, or about $21.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,230 and $48,750.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $44,530 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $35,900 a year ($2,992 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,059 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,655 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #33 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $226,060
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,080
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $208,000
- Pediatricians, General — $188,340
- Dentists, General — $156,100
- Veterinarian — $148,730
- Optometrist — $145,630
- Pharmacist — $140,880