Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Raleigh, NC
Opticians, Dispensing in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $47,090 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,647 take-home, or $3,221 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,471
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,920
- Medicare (1.45%)$683
- North Carolina income tax$1,370
- Take-home pay$38,647
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,980 | $18.26 | $31,690 | $2,641 |
| 25th percentile | $38,670 | $18.59 | $32,217 | $2,685 |
| Median (50th) | $47,090 | $22.64 | $38,647 | $3,221 |
| 75th percentile | $66,670 | $32.05 | $53,581 | $4,465 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,170 | $39.99 | $64,530 | $5,378 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,090 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $38,647 take-home pay has the buying power of $39,372 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.4× 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Raleigh, NC | $47,090 | $38,647 | $39,372 |
*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 North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $51,620
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Raleigh, NC?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $47,090 a year, or about $22.64 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,670 and $66,670.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $47,090 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $38,647 a year ($3,221 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,370 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $39,372 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #22 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Dentists, General — $207,380
- Pharmacist — $133,120
- Veterinarian — $130,350
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,150
- Physician Assistant — $124,300
- Physical Therapist — $99,900
- Dental Hygienist — $98,800
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $87,400
- Registered Nurse — $84,830
- Occupational Therapist — $84,080