Opticians, Dispensing Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for opticians, dispensing in the United States was $47,260 ($22.72 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,610 | $17.12 |
| 25th | $38,820 | $18.66 |
| Median | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| 75th | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| 90th | $76,750 | $36.90 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 29-2081
- Total U.S. employment: 73,530
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
With approximately 73,530 opticians, dispensing employed, this is a major occupation in the labor market.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $35,610, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $76,750 — a 2.2x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Opticians, Dispensing Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,880 | $17.73 | -22.0% | 880 |
| Alaska | $58,250 | $28.01 | +23.3% | 90 |
| Arizona | $48,210 | $23.18 | +2.0% | 1,400 |
| Arkansas | $42,880 | $20.62 | -9.3% | 690 |
| California | $57,990 | $27.88 | +22.7% | 7,840 |
| Colorado | $47,310 | $22.74 | +0.1% | 1,520 |
| Connecticut | $75,300 | $36.20 | +59.3% | 610 |
| Delaware | $46,220 | $22.22 | -2.2% | 270 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 | $29.48 | +29.7% | 80 |
| Florida | $58,850 | $28.30 | +24.5% | 5,080 |
| Georgia | $48,010 | $23.08 | +1.6% | 2,290 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 | $36.20 | +59.3% | 110 |
| Idaho | $43,950 | $21.13 | -7.0% | 530 |
| Illinois | $43,960 | $21.14 | -7.0% | 3,250 |
| Indiana | $39,370 | $18.93 | -16.7% | 2,010 |
| Iowa | $44,480 | $21.39 | -5.9% | 920 |
| Kansas | $40,140 | $19.30 | -15.1% | 630 |
| Kentucky | $44,290 | $21.29 | -6.3% | 950 |
| Louisiana | $36,360 | $17.48 | -23.1% | 720 |
| Maine | $47,220 | $22.70 | -0.1% | 350 |
| Maryland | $48,700 | $23.41 | +3.0% | 1,060 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 | $32.31 | +42.2% | 1,360 |
| Michigan | $41,180 | $19.80 | -12.9% | 3,080 |
| Minnesota | $48,020 | $23.09 | +1.6% | 1,490 |
| Mississippi | $36,680 | $17.63 | -22.4% | 560 |
| Missouri | $38,750 | $18.63 | -18.0% | 1,600 |
| Montana | $47,050 | $22.62 | -0.4% | 330 |
| Nebraska | $39,830 | $19.15 | -15.7% | 870 |
| Nevada | $46,910 | $22.55 | -0.7% | 960 |
| New Hampshire | $51,980 | $24.99 | +10.0% | 440 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 | $34.84 | +53.3% | 2,010 |
| New Mexico | $39,090 | $18.80 | -17.3% | 340 |
| New York | $63,880 | $30.71 | +35.2% | 3,520 |
| North Carolina | $50,190 | $24.13 | +6.2% | 2,020 |
| North Dakota | $45,230 | $21.74 | -4.3% | 230 |
| Ohio | $50,500 | $24.28 | +6.9% | 2,960 |
| Oklahoma | $37,940 | $18.24 | -19.7% | 730 |
| Oregon | $49,210 | $23.66 | +4.1% | 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,450 | $21.85 | -3.8% | 2,230 |
| Rhode Island | $47,400 | $22.79 | +0.3% | 350 |
| South Carolina | $48,000 | $23.08 | +1.6% | 890 |
| South Dakota | $43,400 | $20.87 | -8.2% | 430 |
| Tennessee | $49,840 | $23.96 | +5.5% | 1,530 |
| Texas | $38,720 | $18.61 | -18.1% | 6,700 |
| Utah | $41,780 | $20.09 | -11.6% | 700 |
| Vermont | $57,350 | $27.57 | +21.3% | 70 |
| Virginia | $55,820 | $26.84 | +18.1% | 1,860 |
| Washington | $49,220 | $23.66 | +4.1% | 2,100 |
| West Virginia | $38,120 | $18.33 | -19.3% | 350 |
| Wisconsin | $44,820 | $21.55 | -5.2% | 1,430 |
| Wyoming | $39,100 | $18.80 | -17.3% | 130 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Cooks, Fast Food — $30,890/yr
- Sales Managers — $148,270/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,890/yr
- Managers, All Other — $141,900/yr
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,860/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for opticians, dispensing?
The median annual wage for opticians, dispensing is $47,260 ($22.72 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays opticians, dispensing the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many opticians, dispensing are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 73,530 opticians, dispensing employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do opticians, dispensing make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $22.72. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.