Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Seattle, WA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $48,960 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $41,519 take-home, or $3,460 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,695
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,036
- Medicare (1.45%)$710
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,519
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,090 | $21.68 | $38,410 | $3,201 |
| 25th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 | $39,583 | $3,299 |
| Median (50th) | $48,960 | $23.54 | $41,519 | $3,460 |
| 75th percentile | $60,140 | $28.91 | $50,502 | $4,209 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,830 | $37.90 | $64,287 | $5,357 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,960 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $41,519 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,360 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #29 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 |
| 29 | Seattle, WA | $48,960 | $41,519 | $37,360 |
*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 Seattle, WA?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $48,960 a year, or about $23.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,550 and $60,140.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $48,960 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $41,519 a year ($3,460 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,360 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #29 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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