Hourly Wage for Dispensing Optician Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Dispensing Optician?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Dispensing Optician in the United States is $33, which translates to an annual salary of about $68,760.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $37 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29 to $35 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $29 10% $26 90% $37 75% $35 $33 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Dispensing Optician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $72,900 $6,075 $1,402 $35
Average $68,760 $5,730 $1,322 $33
25th Percentile $60,690 $5,058 $1,167 $29
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Key Factors That Influence Dispensing Optician Salaries

A Dispensing Optician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Dispensing Optician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Dispensing Optician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $66,110
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,351
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,069
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $70,799
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,923
Levels Salary
Entry Level Dispensing Optician$66,110
Intermediate Level Dispensing Optician$66,351
Senior Level Dispensing Optician$69,069
Specialist Level Dispensing Optician$70,799
Expert Level Dispensing Optician$70,923
$66,110 0 yr
$66,351 < 2 yrs
$69,069 2-4 yrs
$70,799 5-8 yrs
$70,923 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Dispensing Opticians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $86,720
  • San Francisco: $85,770
  • Oakland: $83,970

What Skills Can Increase a Dispensing Optician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 25.11% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
  • Medical Billing (Mentioned in 1.45% Job Postings): Medical billing is a payment practice within the United States health system. The process involves a healthcare provider submitting, following up on, and appealing claims with health insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered; such as testing, treatments, and procedures. The same process is used for most insurance companies, whether they are private companies or government sponsored programs: Medical coding reports what the diagnosis and treatment were, and prices are applied accordingly. Medical billers are encouraged, but not required by law, to become certified by taking an exam such as the CMRS Exam, RHIA Exam, CPB Exam and others. Certification schools are intended to provide a theoretical grounding for students entering the medical billing field. Some community colleges in the United States offer certificates, or even associate degrees, in the field. Those seeking advancement may be cross-trained in medical coding or transcription or auditing, and may earn a bachelor's or graduate degree in medical information science and technology.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 25.11%
Work Ethic 2.26%
Medical Billing 1.45%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Dispensing Optician's salary.
  • Word Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • Spreadsheet Software: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Word Processing
$81,137
18%
Spreadsheet Software
$73,573
7%
Problem Solving
$73,573
7%
Initiative
$72,886
6%
Organizational Skills
$71,510
4%
Leadership
$71,510
4%
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Dispensing Optician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Dispensing Optician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $73,736. While startup companies pay approximate $62,629.

Dispensing Optician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$62,629
Growth Stage51~500$66,168
Established501~5000$71,272
Enterprise5000+$73,736

Dispensing Optician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Dispensing Optician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Dispensing Optician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Dispensing Optician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Dispensing Optician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$82,512$40.020%
Healthcare$72,198$35.05%

How Education impacts a Dispensing Optician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Dispensing Opticians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Dispensing Optician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $50,871 and $54,514).

Dispensing Optician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Dispensing Optician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 54.1%
Associates 23.9%
Bachelors 19.4%
Masters 1.2%
Doctorate 0.3%
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Dispensing Optician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Dispensing Optician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Dispensing Optician

Salaries for a Dispensing Optician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,644 in 2023 to around $55,263 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Dispensing Optician salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Dispensing Optician Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,644
2024
$55,899
2025
$55,263
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,644
2024 $55,899
2025 $55,263
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Dispensing Optician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Dispensing Optician

Here are companies hiring for Dispensing Optician and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Dispensing Optician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Dispensing Optician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Dispensing Optician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Dispensing Optician?

The Retail & Wholesale industry offers the highest average compensation for Dispensing Optician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Are opticians in high demand?

Opticians are indeed in high demand, with a projected 2.9% employment growth from 2023 to 2033, leading to approximately 2,300 new job openings. The role combines a fashion element with the rewarding experience of addressing medical needs. Salaries for dispensing opticians range from $48,700 to $62,700, with a median salary of $54,460.

3. How much does an optical dispenser earn in USA?

In the USA, a Dispensing Optician earns between $48,700 and $62,700 annually, with a median salary of $54,460. This translates to a weekly pay range of approximately $936 to $1,206, depending on experience and location.

4. What is higher than an optician?

An Ophthalmologist is a highly skilled physician specializing in eye care and the medical field of Ophthalmology. They undergo extensive training to treat all eye conditions. In comparison, a Dispensing Optician typically earns between $48,700 and $62,700, with a median salary of $54,460, highlighting the advanced expertise and responsibilities of Ophthalmologists.

5. How much does a licensed optician make at Americas Best?

The salary range for a licensed optician is approximately $48,700 to $62,700 annually, with a mid-salary of about $54,460. This translates to an hourly rate of roughly $23.36 to $30.13, with an average hourly rate around $26.18.

6. Which state pays opticians the most?

The salary data for Dispensing Opticians indicates a minimum salary of $48,700, a mid-range salary of $54,460, and a maximum salary of $62,700. While specific city data shows varying hourly rates, states with higher salaries generally align with these figures, suggesting that locations like New York and California may offer competitive compensation for opticians.

7. How much does an optical dispenser earn in USA?

In the USA, a Dispensing Optician earns between $48,700 and $62,700 annually, with a median salary of $54,460. This translates to a weekly pay range of approximately $936 to $1,206, depending on experience and location.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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