Opticians, Dispensing Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Opticians, Dispensing Salary in All 50 States
Compare Opticians, Dispensing pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $66,250 | $65,020 | $43,980 | $82,160 | 2,260 |
| Connecticut | $64,780 | $65,550 | $42,910 | $82,610 | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $63,810 | $65,400 | $44,890 | $88,940 | 1,430 |
| New York | $60,100 | $63,050 | $47,490 | $75,970 | 5,180 |
| California | $57,770 | $59,000 | $41,590 | $77,500 | 8,180 |
| Vermont | $57,500 | $61,420 | $40,730 | $74,220 | 90 |
| Florida | $56,920 | $54,980 | $38,230 | $72,870 | 5,030 |
| Alaska | $56,260 | $58,030 | $44,190 | $74,150 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $56,090 | $57,170 | $36,820 | $77,500 | 160 |
| Virginia | $54,320 | $54,370 | $36,970 | $75,200 | 2,500 |
| Rhode Island | $50,380 | $55,420 | $39,200 | $74,230 | 280 |
| North Carolina | $49,570 | $53,600 | $35,600 | $78,100 | 1,890 |
| Oregon | $49,550 | $59,810 | $39,360 | $100,920 | 1,090 |
| New Hampshire | $49,400 | $51,690 | $38,930 | $66,000 | 500 |
| Minnesota | $49,020 | $49,520 | $38,980 | $64,920 | 1,630 |
| Washington | $48,320 | $52,170 | $38,950 | $74,670 | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $48,080 | $48,420 | $32,610 | $62,250 | 3,190 |
| Tennessee | $47,850 | $48,760 | $31,580 | $70,970 | 1,640 |
| Maryland | $47,710 | $48,560 | $35,310 | $63,980 | 1,170 |
| Nevada | $47,600 | $53,740 | $39,160 | $78,660 | 1,440 |
| South Carolina | $46,830 | $48,760 | $31,260 | $71,300 | 870 |
| Arizona | $46,520 | $49,940 | $36,570 | $72,590 | 1,670 |
| Maine | $46,310 | $47,510 | $37,760 | $61,530 | 310 |
| Colorado | $45,900 | $48,010 | $37,440 | $60,750 | 1,510 |
| Georgia | $45,640 | $50,190 | $35,010 | $72,590 | 2,580 |
| Arkansas | $45,440 | $47,370 | $29,600 | $69,770 | 660 |
| Montana | $44,600 | $45,700 | $33,520 | $62,400 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $44,530 | $46,290 | $29,620 | $62,990 | 980 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,010 | $45,190 | $35,360 | $59,360 | 2,750 |
| Wisconsin | $43,320 | $44,630 | $35,600 | $58,750 | 1,530 |
| Iowa | $41,810 | $42,990 | $36,140 | $50,230 | 1,000 |
| North Dakota | $41,400 | $43,910 | $36,760 | $53,740 | 300 |
| Illinois | $41,230 | $44,560 | $36,200 | $62,560 | 3,660 |
| South Dakota | $41,020 | $42,130 | $35,990 | $49,670 | 420 |
| Delaware | $40,400 | $44,080 | $34,930 | $59,330 | 280 |
| Michigan | $39,870 | $43,500 | $35,490 | $53,090 | 3,220 |
| Utah | $39,760 | $44,800 | $32,200 | $74,220 | 680 |
| Idaho | $39,670 | $44,510 | $30,800 | $72,590 | 570 |
| Nebraska | $38,850 | $40,970 | $32,140 | $48,130 | 670 |
| West Virginia | $38,480 | $41,030 | $28,950 | $59,300 | 400 |
| Kansas | $37,890 | $40,590 | $33,610 | $46,950 | 810 |
| Wyoming | $37,870 | $39,440 | $31,370 | $48,300 | 160 |
| Indiana | $37,740 | $39,780 | $30,750 | $48,770 | 1,900 |
| Missouri | $36,960 | $44,340 | $31,000 | $51,950 | 1,610 |
| New Mexico | $36,910 | $38,880 | $27,600 | $49,330 | 350 |
| Texas | $36,400 | $38,370 | $28,690 | $49,080 | 7,100 |
| Oklahoma | $36,150 | $36,680 | $27,620 | $46,960 | 700 |
| Alabama | $35,570 | $36,750 | $29,690 | $46,100 | 920 |
| Mississippi | $35,530 | $36,210 | $26,140 | $47,600 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $34,910 | $37,320 | $27,740 | $47,130 | 880 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Opticians, Dispensing Salary FAQs
Which state pays Opticians, Dispensings the most?
New Jersey pays the highest median salary for Opticians, Dispensings at $66,250 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: New Jersey ($66,250), Connecticut ($64,780), Massachusetts ($63,810), New York ($60,100), California ($57,770).
What is the average Opticians, Dispensing salary nationally?
The average median Opticians, Dispensing salary across all 50 states is $46,056 per year. The salary ranges from $34,910 in Louisiana to $66,250 in New Jersey — a difference of $31,340.
Which state pays Opticians, Dispensings the least?
Louisiana has the lowest median Opticians, Dispensing salary at $34,910 per year. However, cost of living in Louisiana may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.