Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Pennsylvania
Opticians, Dispensings in Pennsylvania make a median of $44,010 a year, or about $21.16 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $44K get you in Pennsylvania?
About opticians, dispensings
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $44K. Top earners bring in $59K or more, a $24K spread from bottom to top.
Opticians, Dispensing salary by metro in Pennsylvania
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $49K | +11% | 1,310 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $47K | +7% | 160 |
| Lancaster | $47K | +7% | 150 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $46K | +5% | 150 |
| Reading | $44K | -0% | 80 |
| State College | $43K | -1% | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $43K | -2% | 130 |
| Lebanon | $42K | -4% | 40 |
| Pittsburgh | $42K | -5% | 560 |
| York-Hanover | $39K | -11% | 90 |
| Altoona | $39K | -12% | 40 |
| Erie | $38K | -13% | 70 |
| Johnstown | $38K | -14% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
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Track opticians, dispensing salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do opticians, dispensings make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $44,010 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,360, and experienced opticians, dispensings can clear $59,360. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $44K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,004/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 45% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania 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 $46,341 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.