Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Opticians, Dispensings in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $48,370 a year, or about $23.25 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $43,526 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 71.9% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $48K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About opticians, dispensings
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $34K 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 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +5% | 1,630 |
| Washington | $48K | +4% | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $48K | +3% | 3,190 |
| Tennessee | $48K | +3% | 1,640 |
| Maryland | $48K | +2% | 1,170 |
| Nevada | $48K | +2% | 1,440 |
| South Carolina | $47K | +1% | 870 |
| Arizona | $47K | -0% | 1,670 |
| Maine | $46K | -1% | 310 |
| Georgia | $46K | -2% | 2,580 |
| Arkansas | $45K | -2% | 660 |
| Montana | $45K | -4% | 310 |
| Kentucky | $45K | -4% | 980 |
| Pennsylvania | $44K | -5% | 2,750 |
| Wisconsin | $43K | -7% | 1,530 |
| Iowa | $42K | -10% | 1,000 |
| North Dakota | $41K | -11% | 300 |
| Illinois | $41K | -11% | 3,660 |
| South Dakota | $41K | -12% | 420 |
| Delaware | $40K | -13% | 280 |
| Michigan | $40K | -14% | 3,220 |
| Utah | $40K | -15% | 680 |
| Idaho | $40K | -15% | 570 |
| Nebraska | $39K | -17% | 670 |
| West Virginia | $38K | -17% | 400 |
| Kansas | $38K | -19% | 810 |
| Wyoming | $38K | -19% | 160 |
| Indiana | $38K | -19% | 1,900 |
| Missouri | $37K | -21% | 1,610 |
| New Mexico | $37K | -21% | 350 |
| Texas | $36K | -22% | 7,100 |
| Oklahoma | $36K | -22% | 700 |
| Alabama | $36K | -24% | 920 |
| Mississippi | $36K | -24% | 560 |
| Louisiana | $35K | -25% | 880 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track opticians, dispensing salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do opticians, dispensings make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $48,370 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,250, and experienced opticians, dispensings can clear $74,670. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,409/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 73.4% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $43,526 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.