Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Houston, TX
Opticians, Dispensing in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $38,050 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,753 take-home, or $2,729 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,386
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,359
- Medicare (1.45%)$552
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,753
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,490 | $14.18 | $25,875 | $2,156 |
| 25th percentile | $34,610 | $16.64 | $29,989 | $2,499 |
| Median (50th) | $38,050 | $18.29 | $32,753 | $2,729 |
| 75th percentile | $47,020 | $22.61 | $39,961 | $3,330 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,080 | $24.08 | $42,419 | $3,535 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $38,050 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $32,753 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,208 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 Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #37 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 |
| 37 | Houston, TX | $38,050 | $32,753 | $33,208 |
*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 Texas
- Austin, TX — $45,590
- Dallas, TX — $46,030
- San Antonio, TX — $38,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Houston, TX?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $38,050 a year, or about $18.29 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,610 and $47,020.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $38,050 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $32,753 a year ($2,729 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,208 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #37 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Anesthesiologist — $210,230
- Cardiologist — $187,550
- Pharmacist — $140,470
- Physician Assistant — $137,240
- Nurse Practitioner — $134,560
- Veterinarian — $132,280
- Radiologist — $131,470
- Optometrist — $124,640
- Pediatricians, General — $124,190