Opticians, Dispensing Salary in St. Louis, MO
Opticians, Dispensing in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $39,230 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,795 take-home, or $2,733 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,528
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,432
- Medicare (1.45%)$569
- Missouri income tax$906
- Take-home pay$32,795
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,050 | $17.33 | $30,389 | $2,532 |
| 25th percentile | $37,370 | $17.97 | $31,388 | $2,616 |
| Median (50th) | $39,230 | $18.86 | $32,795 | $2,733 |
| 75th percentile | $47,890 | $23.02 | $39,346 | $3,279 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,810 | $26.35 | $44,581 | $3,715 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,230 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $32,795 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,489 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 St. Louis, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #35 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 |
| 35 | St. Louis, MO | $39,230 | $32,795 | $34,489 |
*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 Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $40,930
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in St. Louis, MO?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $39,230 a year, or about $18.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,370 and $47,890.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $39,230 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $32,795 a year ($2,733 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $906 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,489 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #35 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Nurse Anesthetist — $232,300
- Dentists, General — $210,430
- Pharmacist — $138,530
- Physician Assistant — $136,120
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,580
- Veterinarian — $122,460
- Physical Therapist — $100,600
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $98,990
- Dental Hygienist — $97,650
- Occupational Therapist — $95,770
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $86,480