Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median $46,470 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,092 take-home, or $3,174 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Pittsburgh, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,396
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,881
- Medicare (1.45%)$674
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,427
- Take-home pay$38,092
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Pittsburgh, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,800 | $17.21 | $29,846 | $2,487 |
| 25th percentile | $38,320 | $18.42 | $31,794 | $2,649 |
| Median (50th) | $46,470 | $22.34 | $38,092 | $3,174 |
| 75th percentile | $49,210 | $23.66 | $40,209 | $3,351 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,220 | $27.03 | $45,627 | $3,802 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,470 buys in Pittsburgh, PA
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA are 5.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $38,092 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,236 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 Pittsburgh, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.86).
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Pittsburgh, PA ranks #17 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 |
| 17 | Pittsburgh, PA | $46,470 | $38,092 | $40,236 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA — $49,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $46,470 a year, or about $22.34 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,320 and $49,210.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA?
On the median $46,470 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $38,092 a year ($3,174 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,427 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 5.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,236 would in a typical U.S. city. Pittsburgh, PA ranks #17 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,058 a month ($1,281 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
- Family Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,570
- Physicians, All Other — $187,680
- Dentists, General — $155,250
- Pharmacist — $134,180
- Veterinarian — $128,290
- Physician Assistant — $125,230
- Nurse Practitioner — $119,630
- Physical Therapist — $97,750
- Occupational Therapist — $90,860
- Registered Nurse — $82,370
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $81,810