When considering which state pays opticians the most, it is important to look at specific cities within those states. According to recent salary data, San Diego, California, stands out as the highest-paying city for opticians, offering an average wage of $22.59 per hour based on 66 reported salaries. Following closely is Kansas City, Missouri, where opticians earn approximately $22.39 per hour, with 24 salaries reported. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, also offers competitive pay at around $22.07 per hour, based on 17 reported salaries. Other notable cities include Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with an average of $20.80 per hour, and Fort Collins, Colorado, where opticians earn about $20.47 per hour. These figures highlight the regional variations in pay for opticians, indicating that urban areas tend to offer higher wages, likely due to the cost of living and demand for optical services in those locations.