Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Denver, CO
Opticians, Dispensing in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $49,750 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,674 take-home, or $3,389 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,790
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,085
- Medicare (1.45%)$721
- Colorado income tax$1,481
- Take-home pay$40,674
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,930 | $19.68 | $33,975 | $2,831 |
| 25th percentile | $45,850 | $22.04 | $37,711 | $3,143 |
| Median (50th) | $49,750 | $23.92 | $40,674 | $3,389 |
| 75th percentile | $60,100 | $28.89 | $48,534 | $4,045 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,750 | $36.90 | $60,155 | $5,013 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,750 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $40,674 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,450 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 Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #25 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 |
| 25 | Denver, CO | $49,750 | $40,674 | $38,450 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $49,750 a year, or about $23.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $45,850 and $60,100.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $49,750 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $40,674 a year ($3,389 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,481 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,450 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #25 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 52% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $168,620
- Optometrist — $158,130
- Pharmacist — $157,890
- Veterinarian — $135,090
- Physician Assistant — $134,540
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,040
- Dental Hygienist — $113,760
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $112,090
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $108,410
- Occupational Therapist — $107,500