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Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Nebraska: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Opticians, Dispensing salary really buy you in Nebraska?

Nebraska is 10.2% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$39,830
Median annual (2025)
+11.4%
Real Purchasing Power
$44,354
COL-adjusted (RPP=89.8)

Nebraska Cost of Living Index

Nebraska's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 89.8, meaning prices are 10.2% lower the national average. A Opticians, Dispensing earning $39,830 in Nebraska has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,354 in an average-cost US state.

NE: 89.8
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Nebraska's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $35,800 $39,866 +$4,066
25th Percentile (P25) $36,810 $40,991 +$4,181
Median (P50) $39,830 $44,354 +$4,524
75th Percentile (P75) $47,570 $52,973 +$5,403
90th Percentile (P90) $52,670 $58,652 +$5,982
Key Insight

A Opticians, Dispensing in Nebraska earns $39,830 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 11% further — like earning $44,354 in an average-cost state. This makes Nebraska one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Nebraska Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 89.8

Nebraska's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 89.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.2% less than the national average. For a Opticians, Dispensing, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+11.4%

Adjusting $39,830 for Nebraska's cost of living yields $44,354 — a 11.4% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#38 / 51

Nebraska's rank of #38 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Opticians, Dispensing trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Opticians, Dispensing (After Cost of Living)

Where does Opticians, Dispensing salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$70,770
RPP 106.4
2. Hawaii
$67,960
RPP 110.8
$66,599
RPP 108.8
$61,435
RPP 109.4
$59,368
RPP 107.6
6. Florida
$57,639
RPP 102.1
7. Alaska
$57,107
RPP 102.0
8. Vermont
$56,726
RPP 101.1
9. Ohio
$55,191
RPP 91.5
10. Virginia
$54,671
RPP 102.1

Nebraska ranks #38 out of 51 states for Opticians, Dispensing after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Opticians, Dispensing take-home pay in Nebraska after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Opticians, Dispensing in Nebraska after cost of living?

A Opticians, Dispensing in Nebraska earns a median salary of $39,830 per year. After adjusting for Nebraska's cost of living (RPP=89.8), the real purchasing power is $44,354 — a +11.4% difference.

Is Nebraska expensive to live in?

Nebraska's cost of living is 10.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Nebraska is 89.8 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Opticians, Dispensing in Nebraska: $39,830 x (100 / 89.8) = $44,354. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Opticians, Dispensing in Nebraska financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Opticians, Dispensing in Nebraska enjoys 11.4% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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