Opticians, Dispensing Salary
Opticians, Dispensings in North Dakota make a median of $45,230 a year, or about $21.74 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $56K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $50,883 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,034/month, about 32.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $45K get you in North Dakota?
About opticians, dispensings
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Opticians, dispensing pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $45K locally vs. $47K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,034/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $45K. Top earners bring in $56K or more, a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Opticians, Dispensing salary by metro in North Dakota
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $46K | +1% | 50 |
| Grand Forks | $45K | +0% | 40 |
| Fargo | $45K | -0% | 80 |
Compare to other states
Track opticians, dispensing salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a opticians, dispensing afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $45K, rent takes 33.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for opticians, dispensings in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new opticians, dispensings typically earn — is $37K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,233/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is opticians, dispensing a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $45K locally vs. $47K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for opticians, dispensings?
North Dakota pays $45K median vs. the U.S. average of $47K — that’s -4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do opticians, dispensings make in North Dakota?
The median is $45,230 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,220, and experienced opticians, dispensings can clear $56,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $45K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,125/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 33.1% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median opticians, dispensing salary is worth about $50,883 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.