Opticians, Dispensing vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Opticians, Dispensing by $50K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Opticians, Dispensing land at $47,260 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: opticians, dispensing programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Opticians, Dispensing is Connecticut ($75,300); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Opticians, Dispensing median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Opticians, Dispensing or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $47,260 for Opticians, Dispensing versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $50K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Opticians, Dispensing or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 2.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Opticians, Dispensing or Registered Nurses?
Opticians, Dispensing typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Opticians, Dispensing get paid the most?
Connecticut is the top-paying state for Opticians, Dispensing at $75,300/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Opticians, Dispensing vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Opticians, Dispensing earn $75,300 vs. $136,320 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.