How much does a optician make?
The median optician in the United States earns $46,560 per year, about $22.38 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all opticians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 29-2081.
Optician salary range
Pay for opticians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,470 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $73,240. The average (mean) wage of $49,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,470 | $16.57 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $37,900 | $18.22 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,560 | $22.38 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,680 | $28.69 | |
| 90th percentile | $73,240 | $35.21 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for opticians, dispensing (SOC 29-2081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Optician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Opticians earn the most in New Jersey at $66,250 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $34,910. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $66,250 | 2,260 |
| Connecticut | $64,780 | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $63,810 | 1,430 |
| New York | $60,100 | 5,180 |
| District of Columbia | $59,110 | 60 |
| California | $57,770 | 8,180 |
| Vermont | $57,500 | 90 |
| Florida | $56,920 | 5,030 |
| Alaska | $56,260 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $56,090 | 160 |
| Virginia | $54,320 | 2,500 |
| Rhode Island | $50,380 | 280 |
| North Carolina | $49,570 | 1,890 |
| Oregon | $49,550 | 1,090 |
| New Hampshire | $49,400 | 500 |
| Minnesota | $49,020 | 1,630 |
| Washington | $48,320 | 2,000 |
| Ohio | $48,080 | 3,190 |
| Tennessee | $47,850 | 1,640 |
| Maryland | $47,710 | 1,170 |
| Nevada | $47,600 | 1,440 |
| South Carolina | $46,830 | 870 |
| Arizona | $46,520 | 1,670 |
| Maine | $46,310 | 310 |
| Colorado | $45,900 | 1,510 |
| Georgia | $45,640 | 2,580 |
| Arkansas | $45,440 | 660 |
| Montana | $44,600 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $44,530 | 980 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,010 | 2,750 |
| Wisconsin | $43,320 | 1,530 |
| Iowa | $41,810 | 1,000 |
| North Dakota | $41,400 | 300 |
| Illinois | $41,230 | 3,660 |
| South Dakota | $41,020 | 420 |
| Delaware | $40,400 | 280 |
| Michigan | $39,870 | 3,220 |
| Utah | $39,760 | 680 |
| Idaho | $39,670 | 570 |
| Nebraska | $38,850 | 670 |
| West Virginia | $38,480 | 400 |
| Kansas | $37,890 | 810 |
| Wyoming | $37,870 | 160 |
| Indiana | $37,740 | 1,900 |
| Missouri | $36,960 | 1,610 |
| New Mexico | $36,910 | 350 |
| Texas | $36,400 | 7,100 |
| Oklahoma | $36,150 | 700 |
| Alabama | $35,570 | 920 |
| Mississippi | $35,530 | 560 |
| Louisiana | $34,910 | 880 |
State median wages for opticians, dispensing (SOC 29-2081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for opticians
The BLS projects employment of opticians to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 74,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 77,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,600 openings a year for opticians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an optician
The typical entry-level education for opticians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an optician earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $66,250) and the lowest (Louisiana, $34,910) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 79,690 people work as opticians in the United States. At $46,560 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Optician salary FAQ
How much does an optician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an optician is $22.38. The middle half of opticians earn between $18.22 and $28.69 per hour.
What is the highest optician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of opticians earn more than $73,240 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an optician make a year?
The median annual salary for an optician is $46,560. The average (mean) wage of $49,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an optician a well paid job?
At $46,560 a year, an optician earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 79,690 people work as opticians in the United States.
Which state pays opticians the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for opticians at $66,250 a year. Connecticut ($64,780) and Massachusetts ($63,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being an optician a good career?
Employment of opticians is projected to grow 4.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an optician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for opticians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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