Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Providence, RI
Opticians, Dispensing in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $48,940 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $40,285 take-home, or $3,357 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,693
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,034
- Medicare (1.45%)$710
- Rhode Island income tax$1,218
- Take-home pay$40,285
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 | $32,273 | $2,689 |
| 25th percentile | $46,290 | $22.25 | $38,255 | $3,188 |
| Median (50th) | $48,940 | $23.53 | $40,285 | $3,357 |
| 75th percentile | $65,750 | $31.61 | $53,161 | $4,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,130 | $37.08 | $60,815 | $5,068 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,940 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $40,285 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,583 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Providence, RI has 1.3× the national concentration of opticians, dispensing jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #20 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 |
| 20 | Providence, RI | $48,940 | $40,285 | $39,583 |
*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 Providence, RI?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $48,940 a year, or about $23.53 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,290 and $65,750.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $48,940 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $40,285 a year ($3,357 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,218 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,583 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #20 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Providence, RI
- Physicians, All Other — $234,000
- Dentists, General — $172,310
- Physician Assistant — $139,930
- Nurse Practitioner — $135,520
- Pharmacist — $130,840
- Veterinarian — $129,390
- Physical Therapist — $100,290
- Registered Nurse — $99,880
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $99,720
- Occupational Therapist — $98,000
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $93,940
- Dental Hygienist — $89,310