Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
Opticians, Dispensings in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT make a median of $64,580 a year, or about $31.05 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.75), that's roughly $62,852 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,865/month — about 44.2% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $65K get you in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford?
About opticians, dispensings
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K.Top earners bring in $83K or more - a $40K 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 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do opticians, dispensings make in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT?
The median is $64,580 a year - that works out to about $31.05 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,650, and experienced opticians, dispensings can clear $82,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,226/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,865/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 44.1% 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 Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford?
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford has a Regional Price Parity of 102.75 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median opticians, dispensing salary is worth about $62,852 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.