Opticians, Dispensing Salary
Opticians, Dispensings in Utica-Rome, NY make a median of $62,930 a year, or about $30.25 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.68), which stretches that salary to about $67,900 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,172/month, or 28.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $63K get you in Utica-Rome?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Utica-Rome’s Regional Price Parity (92.68). 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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What this looks like in Utica-Rome
Utica-Rome sits well above the national pay line for opticians, dispensing, local pay runs about 33% higher than the U.S. median of $47K. Rent runs $1,172/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.68 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for opticians, dispensings in metros near Utica-Rome, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $71K | $63K |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $61K | $63K |
| Rochester | $62K | $64K |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $64K | $64K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Utica-Rome, NY
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Opticians, Dispensing pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Opticians, Dispensing salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75K | +59% | 610 |
| Hawaii | $75K | +59% | 110 |
| New Jersey | $72K | +53% | 2,010 |
| Massachusetts | $67K | +42% | 1,360 |
| New York | $64K | +35% | 3,520 |
| District of Columbia | $61K | +30% | 80 |
| Florida | $59K | +25% | 5,080 |
| Alaska | $58K | +23% | 90 |
| California | $58K | +23% | 7,840 |
| Vermont | $57K | +21% | 70 |
| Virginia | $56K | +18% | 1,860 |
| New Hampshire | $52K | +10% | 440 |
| Ohio | $51K | +7% | 2,960 |
| North Carolina | $50K | +6% | 2,020 |
| Tennessee | $50K | +5% | 1,530 |
| Washington | $49K | +4% | 2,100 |
| Oregon | $49K | +4% | 1,000 |
| Maryland | $49K | +3% | 1,060 |
| Arizona | $48K | +2% | 1,400 |
| Minnesota | $48K | +2% | 1,490 |
| Georgia | $48K | +2% | 2,290 |
| South Carolina | $48K | +2% | 890 |
| Rhode Island | $47K | +0% | 350 |
| Colorado | $47K | +0% | 1,520 |
| Maine | $47K | -0% | 350 |
| Montana | $47K | -0% | 330 |
| Nevada | $47K | -1% | 960 |
| Delaware | $46K | -2% | 270 |
| Pennsylvania | $45K | -4% | 2,230 |
| North Dakota | $45K | -4% | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | -5% | 1,430 |
| Iowa | $44K | -6% | 920 |
| Kentucky | $44K | -6% | 950 |
| Illinois | $44K | -7% | 3,250 |
| Idaho | $44K | -7% | 530 |
| South Dakota | $43K | -8% | 430 |
| Arkansas | $43K | -9% | 690 |
| Utah | $42K | -12% | 700 |
| Michigan | $41K | -13% | 3,080 |
| Kansas | $40K | -15% | 630 |
| Nebraska | $40K | -16% | 870 |
| Indiana | $39K | -17% | 2,010 |
| Wyoming | $39K | -17% | 130 |
| New Mexico | $39K | -17% | 340 |
| Missouri | $39K | -18% | 1,600 |
| Texas | $39K | -18% | 6,700 |
| West Virginia | $38K | -19% | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $38K | -20% | 730 |
| Alabama | $37K | -22% | 880 |
| Mississippi | $37K | -22% | 560 |
| Louisiana | $36K | -23% | 720 |
Showing 1–10 of 51 (all 50 states + DC)
Track opticians, dispensing salary changes
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Frequently asked questions
Can a opticians, dispensing afford a 2BR apartment alone in Utica-Rome?
Yes — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 28.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,172/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for opticians, dispensings in Utica-Rome?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new opticians, dispensings typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,783/month. At HUD’s $1,172/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 Utica-Rome?
Local pay is 33% above the national median — $63K here vs. $47K nationally.
How does Utica-Rome compare to the national average for opticians, dispensings?
Utica-Rome pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $47K — that’s +33%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.68), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do opticians, dispensings make in Utica-Rome, NY?
The median is $62,930 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,390, and experienced opticians, dispensings can clear $74,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Utica-Rome?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,146/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,172/month, which eats 28.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a opticians, dispensing salary go in Utica-Rome?
Utica-Rome has a Regional Price Parity of 92.68 (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 $67,900 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.