Optical Sales Associate Salary in the United States

How much does an Optical Sales Associate make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Optical Sales Associate in the United States is $68,889 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, an Optical Sales Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $78,385
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,959 to $73,859
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,829
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View as table View as graph 25% $59,959 10% $51,829 90% $78,385 75% $73,859 $68,889 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Optical Sales Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $73,859 $6,155 $1,420 $36
Average $68,889 $5,741 $1,325 $33
25th Percentile $59,959 $4,997 $1,153 $29
Check out Optical Sales Associate Job Openings in the United States
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SALES ASSOCIATE in S10289

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SALES ASSOCIATE in S03137

Dollar General - Strasburg, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Optical Sales Associate Salaries

An Optical Sales Associate'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 Optical Sales Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Optical Sales Associate'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): $68,020
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,268
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $71,066
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,844
  • Expert (over 8 years): $72,971
Levels Salary
Entry Level Optical Sales Associate$68,020
Intermediate Level Optical Sales Associate$68,268
Senior Level Optical Sales Associate$71,066
Specialist Level Optical Sales Associate$72,844
Expert Level Optical Sales Associate$72,971
$68,020 0 yr
$68,268 < 2 yrs
$71,066 2-4 yrs
$72,844 5-8 yrs
$72,971 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Optical Sales Associates

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: $86,889
  • San Francisco: $85,938
  • Oakland: $84,127

What Skills Can Increase an Optical Sales Associate'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 an Optical Sales Associate'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
$81,289
18%
Spreadsheet Software
$73,711
7%
Problem Solving
$73,711
7%
Initiative
$73,022
6%
Organizational Skills
$71,644
4%
Leadership
$71,644
4%
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Optical Sales Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Optical Sales Associate 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, Optical Sales Associate positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Optical Sales Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Optical Sales Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale$82,666$40.020%
Healthcare$72,333$35.05%

How Education impacts an Optical Sales Associate's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Optical Sales Associates 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 an Optical Sales Associate with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $51,213 and $54,636).

Optical Sales Associate Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Optical Sales Associate
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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Optical Sales Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Optical Sales Associate'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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Optical Sales Associate

Salaries for an Optical Sales Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $57,275 in 2023 to around $56,882 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Optical Sales Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Optical Sales Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,275
2024
$57,536
2025
$56,882
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,275
2024 $57,536
2025 $56,882
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Optical Sales Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Optical Sales Associate

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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