Opticians, Dispensing salary in Alabama
Opticians, Dispensing in Alabama earn a median of $36,880 a year ($17.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 880 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,720 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $47,260. Alabama ranks 49th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.42 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,000 | $14.90 |
| 25th percentile | $34,370 | $16.53 |
| Median | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| 75th percentile | $41,490 | $19.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Average (mean) | $38,710 | $18.61 |
Half of opticians, dispensing earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,073.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,536.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,418.46 |
| Weekly | $709.23 |
| Hourly | $17.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $39,450 | 70 |
| Huntsville, AL | $37,700 | 100 |
| Birmingham, AL | $37,410 | 220 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $37,410 | 50 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $36,500 | 30 |
| Montgomery, AL | $36,440 | 40 |
| Mobile, AL | $35,960 | 60 |
| Dothan, AL | $34,420 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,030 | $18.77 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $60,700 | $29.18 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Surgical Technologist | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Paramedic | $48,540 | $23.34 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $43,600 | $20.96 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $47,650 | $22.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Alabama?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Alabama is $36,880 a year, or $17.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Alabama?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Alabama earn at least $47,720 a year. The top 25% earn $41,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,000 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $34,370 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Alabama?
About 880 opticians, dispensing are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.