Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Washington, DC
Opticians, Dispensing in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $59,520 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $47,582 take-home, or $3,965 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median opticians, dispensing salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,962
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,690
- Medicare (1.45%)$863
- District of Columbia income tax$2,422
- Take-home pay$47,582
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Opticians, Dispensing pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,100 | $17.84 | $30,930 | $2,577 |
| 25th percentile | $42,750 | $20.55 | $35,131 | $2,928 |
| Median (50th) | $59,520 | $28.62 | $47,582 | $3,965 |
| 75th percentile | $67,170 | $32.29 | $53,165 | $4,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,010 | $37.50 | $60,048 | $5,004 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,520 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median opticians, dispensing's $47,582 take-home pay has the buying power of $43,700 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 less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.73), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for opticians, dispensing, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #11 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 |
| 11 | Washington, DC | $59,520 | $47,582 | $43,700 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median opticians, dispensing salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $59,520 a year, or about $28.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $42,750 and $67,170.
What is a opticians, dispensing’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $59,520 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $47,582 a year ($3,965 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,422 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a opticians, dispensing?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $47,260. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $43,700 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #11 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a opticians, dispensing afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median opticians, dispensing’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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