Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Washington
Opticians, Dispensings in Washington make a median of $48,320 a year, or about $23.23 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $48K get you in Washington?
About opticians, dispensings
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level opticians, dispensings (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Opticians, Dispensing salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $57K | +18% | 60 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $49K | +2% | 60 |
| Bellingham | $49K | +1% | 50 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $49K | +1% | 50 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $49K | +0% | 40 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $48K | +0% | 1,060 |
| Longview-Kelso | $48K | -0% | 30 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $47K | -2% | 130 |
| Yakima | $46K | -5% | 80 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $46K | -6% | 160 |
| Walla Walla | $44K | -9% | 30 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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Track opticians, dispensing salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do opticians, dispensings make in Washington?
The median is $48,320 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,950, 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 Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,405/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 53.7% 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 Washington?
Washington 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 $47,368 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.