Opticians, Dispensing Salary in 2026
How Much Do Opticians, Dispensings Make?
Opticians, Dispensings earn a median annual salary of $46,560 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,470 at the 10th percentile to $73,240 at the 90th percentile — a range of $38,770. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $66,250.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,470 |
| 25th percentile | $37,900 |
| Median (50th) | $46,560 |
| 75th percentile | $59,680 |
| 90th percentile | $73,240 |
Opticians, Dispensing Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $66,250 |
| Connecticut | $64,780 |
| Massachusetts | $63,810 |
| New York | $60,100 |
| District of Columbia | $59,110 |
| California | $57,770 |
| Vermont | $57,500 |
| Florida | $56,920 |
| Alaska | $56,260 |
| Hawaii | $56,090 |
| Virginia | $54,320 |
| Rhode Island | $50,380 |
| North Carolina | $49,570 |
| Oregon | $49,550 |
| New Hampshire | $49,400 |
| Minnesota | $49,020 |
| Washington | $48,320 |
| Ohio | $48,080 |
| Tennessee | $47,850 |
| Maryland | $47,710 |
| Nevada | $47,600 |
| South Carolina | $46,830 |
| Arizona | $46,520 |
| Maine | $46,310 |
| Colorado | $45,900 |
| Georgia | $45,640 |
| Arkansas | $45,440 |
| Montana | $44,600 |
| Kentucky | $44,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,010 |
| Wisconsin | $43,320 |
| Iowa | $41,810 |
| North Dakota | $41,400 |
| Illinois | $41,230 |
| South Dakota | $41,020 |
| Delaware | $40,400 |
| Michigan | $39,870 |
| Utah | $39,760 |
| Idaho | $39,670 |
| Nebraska | $38,850 |
| West Virginia | $38,480 |
| Kansas | $37,890 |
| Wyoming | $37,870 |
| Indiana | $37,740 |
| Missouri | $36,960 |
| New Mexico | $36,910 |
| Texas | $36,400 |
| Oklahoma | $36,150 |
| Alabama | $35,570 |
| Mississippi | $35,530 |
| Louisiana | $34,910 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Opticians, Dispensings
Opticians, Dispensing Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$34,470 – $37,900 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$46,560 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$59,680 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $73,240+ |
How to Earn More as an Opticians, Dispensing
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Opticians, Dispensings in Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT earn $72,750 — $26,190 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($59,680) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Opticians, Dispensing Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Opticians, Dispensingthis career | $46,560 |
| Optometrist | $134,830 |
| Pharmacist | $137,480 |
| Audiologist | $92,120 |
| Ophthalmologist | $239,200 |
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SOC: 29-2081.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.