Opticians, Dispensing Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $47,260 · Median hourly: $22.72 · Employment: 73,530
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, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
- Fast Food and Counter Workers — $31,200/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 2024.
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.