SOC 292081

Opticians, Dispensing

Design, measure, fit, and adapt lenses and frames for client according to written optical prescription or specification. Assist client with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Assist client with selecting frames. Measure customer for size of eyeglasses and coordinate frames with facial and eye measurements and optical prescription. Prepare work order for optical laboratory containing instructions for grinding and mounting lenses in frames. Verify exactness of finished lens spectacles. Adjust frame and lens position to fit client. May shape or reshape frames. Includes contact lens opticians.

National Median

$46,560

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$46,560

Entry Level (10th pct)

$34,470

Experienced (90th pct)

$73,240

Total Employed

79,690

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$34,470 - $37,900
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$37,900 - $59,680
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$59,680 - $73,240

Highest Paying Locations for Opticians, Dispensing

Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT

$72,750

+56.3% vs national

Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT

$68,790

+47.7% vs national

Barnstable Town, MA

$66,880

+43.6% vs national

New Jersey

$66,250

+42.3% vs national

New Haven, CT

$64,990

+39.6% vs national

Opticians, Dispensing Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$72,750	140
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$68,790	60
Barnstable Town, MA	$66,880	60
New Jersey	$66,250	2,260
New Haven, CT	$64,990	80
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$64,940	70
Connecticut	$64,780	580
Naples-Marco Island, FL	$64,710	70
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$64,580	210
Worcester, MA	$64,520	190
Vallejo, CA	$64,400	90
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$63,940	40
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$63,830	90
Massachusetts	$63,810	1,430
Springfield, MA	$63,420	70
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$63,170	70
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$62,780	5,170
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$62,570	990
Syracuse, NY	$62,400	170
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$62,250	140
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$62,130	210
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	$62,070	1,090
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area	$62,040	50
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$61,940	330
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$61,760	190
Kingston, NY	$61,360	50
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$61,220	870
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	$61,100	100
Punta Gorda, FL	$60,910	60
Urban Honolulu, HI	$60,900	130
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$60,780	110
Utica-Rome, NY	$60,420	60
New York	$60,100	5,180
Gainesville, FL	$59,970	40
Rochester, NY	$59,900	230
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL	$59,850	60
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$59,710	320
Charlottesville, VA	$59,700	100
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$59,610	50
Central East New York nonmetropolitan area	$59,480	50
Glens Falls, NY	$59,450	50
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	$59,410	100
Binghamton, NY	$59,330	40
Harrisonburg, VA	$59,280	50
District of Columbia	$59,110	60
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$58,530	1,310
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$58,500	930
Asheville, NC	$58,500	80
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$58,420	690
Greensboro-High Point, NC	$58,240	130

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Opticians, Dispensing?

The national median annual salary for Opticians, Dispensing is $46,560, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Opticians, Dispensings earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Opticians, Dispensings is Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT, with a median salary of $72,750.

How much can an experienced Opticians, Dispensing make?

Top-earning Opticians, Dispensings (90th percentile) make $73,240 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.