Opticians, Dispensing Salary in District of Columbia
Opticians, Dispensings in District of Columbia make a median of $59,110 a year, or about $28.42 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $59K get you in District of Columbia?
About opticians, dispensings
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K.Top earners bring in $77K or more - a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Opticians, Dispensing pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $66K | +42% | 2,260 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +39% | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $64K | +37% | 1,430 |
| New York | $60K | +29% | 5,180 |
| District of Columbia | $59K | +27% | 60 |
| California | $58K | +24% | 8,180 |
| Vermont | $58K | +23% | 90 |
| Florida | $57K | +22% | 5,030 |
| Alaska | $56K | +21% | 90 |
| Hawaii | $56K | +20% | 160 |
| Virginia | $54K | +17% | 2,500 |
| Rhode Island | $50K | +8% | 280 |
| North Carolina | $50K | +6% | 1,890 |
| Oregon | $50K | +6% | 1,090 |
| New Hampshire | $49K | +6% | 500 |
Track opticians, dispensing salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do opticians, dispensings make in District of Columbia?
The median is $59,110 a year - that works out to about $28.42 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,310, and experienced opticians, dispensings can clear $77,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,920/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,246/month (median of metro areas), which eats 57.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a opticians, dispensing salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median opticians, dispensing salary is worth about $59,110 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do opticians, dispensings get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.