J C Penny Optical Center Salary

As of September 2026, the average annual salary for employees at J C Penny Optical Center in the United States is $82,090. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $39. Salaries at J C Penny Optical Center typically range from $72,116 to $93,415 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does J C Penny Optical Center Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at J C Penny Optical Center. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Director of Communications, with an annual salary of $193,411. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.

Back End Software Developer

$107,265 / year

Salary Range: $97,576 - $118,569

Software Development

Blockchain Developer/Analyst (Freelance Contract, Remote)

$85,184 / year

Salary Range: $70,747 - $96,524

Trading

Cloud SA

$104,785 / year

Salary Range: $91,496 - $118,201

IT Management

CNO Analyst/Programmer

$46,186 / year

Salary Range: $41,234 - $52,767

Manufacturing

Communications Marketing Manager (Freelance Contract, Remote)

$107,465 / year

Salary Range: $95,348 - $121,130

Marketing Management

Computer Scientist

$92,006 / year

Salary Range: $82,288 - $102,493

Environmental Engineering

Turn Insight into Opportunity: Current Job Openings

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at J C Penny Optical Center.
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About J C Penny Optical Center: Company Profile

Website
www.jcpenneyoptical.com
Founded In
2006
Employees
500 - 1,000 employees
Industry
Retail & Wholesale
Headquarter Location
CHICAGO
Revenue
$200 Million - $500 Million
Phone Number
-
Social Media

Employee Reviews: Insights on Salary, Culture & Work-Life

Gain authentic perspectives from current and former employees. These anonymous reviews offer invaluable insights into J C Penny Optical Center's culture, work-life balance, management, and employee sentiment regarding salary satisfaction, bonus payouts, and benefits.
Highly recommend for those seeking long-term growth. Employees are valued, and leadership is transparent. Working at this company has been a rewarding experience.
The retail side is fast-paced but rewarding. There’s room for improvement in career advancement opportunities, but overall, it’s a decent place to work if you value stability. The retail space is well-maintained, and colleagues are professional. Colleagues are professional and easy to work with. The company has a collaborative atmosphere where ideas are welcomed.
Career advancement is possible, and the benefits package is competitive. There are opportunities for professional growth. Team collaboration is strong, making daily tasks enjoyable. There’s room for moderate career growth if you take initiative. Career growth is possible if you take initiative, and internal promotions are common. Fun work environment. I appreciate the recognition for hard work and...
The role is straightforward with clear expectations. The Wholesale team is efficient, and collaboration is encouraged. Enjoy my role here. Supportive environment for skill development. The company culture is inclusive, and there are regular team-building activities.
The leadership is transparent, and communication flows well across departments. The retail side is fast-paced but well-supported by management. The leadership team is engaged and encourages employee input. Highly recommend joining this organization.

Is J C Penny Optical Center’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does J C Penny Optical Center's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
JCPENNEY OPTICAL CENTER $74,518
-9.2%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where JCPENNEY OPTICAL CENTER primarily operates.
J C OPTICAL $87,179
+6.2%
Influenced by prevailing union wage agreements specific to J C OPTICAL's sector.
CHECKMARX $75,931
-7.5%
CHECKMARX may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
CLOUDRADIANT CORP. $85,872
+4.6%
Supported by CLOUDRADIANT CORP.'s high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Retail & Wholesale Industry $123,318
+50.2%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

What Is the Cost of Living Near Chicago?

Understanding the cost of living near Chicago is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at J C Penny Optical Center.
Chicago's Cost of Living Index is approximately 106.9 (6.9% more expensive than US average; 14.0% more than IL average). Major US city, housing varies greatly by neighborhood but can be high, extensive CTA transit. When planning your budget based on a salary from J C Penny Optical Center, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,700 - $2,600+ A significant portion of J C Penny Optical Center salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $105 (CTA 30-day pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $640 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $450 - $800+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $400 - $750+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $3,225 - $5,025+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

Most Common Questions About J C Penny Optical Center

FAQ 1: What is the estimated average total compensation at J C Penny Optical Center?
Salary.com estimates that the average total compensation package at J C Penny Optical Center, which can include base salary, potential bonuses, and benefits, is around $82,090 annually . Total compensation provides a more holistic view of an employee's earnings.
FAQ 2: How much does J C Penny Optical Center pay compared to JCPENNEY OPTICAL CENTER?
The average annual salary at J C Penny Optical Center is $82,090, or an hourly wage of $39, in comparison to JCPENNEY OPTICAL CENTER which pays $74,518 per year or $36 per hour.
FAQ 3: What's the typical salary progression for an employee moving from an entry-level to a senior role at J C Penny Optical Center?
Salary progression from an entry-level to a senior role at J C Penny Optical Center can be significant, often involving several promotions and substantial pay increases. For example, an entry-level Analyst might see their salary potentially double or more as they progress to a Senior Manager or Director position over several years, assuming strong performance and development.
FAQ 4: How can I determine if a salary offer from J C Penny Optical Center in Chicago is fair given the local cost of living?
To determine if a salary offer from J C Penny Optical Center in Chicago is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at J C Penny Optical Center and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Chicago" to understand its purchasing power.
FAQ 5: Are promotions at J C Penny Optical Center usually accompanied by a significant salary increase?
Yes, promotions at J C Penny Optical Center are generally accompanied by a salary increase. The amount of the increase typically reflects the greater responsibilities, skills, and scope of the new role. The percentage increase can vary widely depending on the level of promotion and the company's compensation structure.