Opticians, Dispensing salary in Bellingham, WA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $53,050 a year ($25.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,120 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 8% higher than the Washington statewide median of $49,220. There are 0.68 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,260, close to the median.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| 25th percentile | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| Median | $53,050 | $25.51 |
| 75th percentile | $53,820 | $25.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| Average (mean) | $52,260 | $25.12 |
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 | $4,420.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,210.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,040.38 |
| Weekly | $1,020.19 |
| Hourly | $25.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $60,140 | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $58,250 | 60 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $50,490 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $49,620 | 600 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,540 | 120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $48,960 | 1,140 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $48,780 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $47,650 | 180 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,240 | 60 |
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 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $56,010 | $26.93 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,470 | $29.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,910 | $29.29 |
| Paramedic | $119,970 | $57.68 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $110,240 | $53.00 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Surgical Technologist | $75,970 | $36.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $96,450 | $46.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,850 | $60.02 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $147,890 | $71.10 |
| Pharmacist | $156,490 | $75.24 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
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 Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $53,050 a year, or $25.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $68,120 a year. The top 25% earn $53,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,650 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $46,870 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Bellingham, WA?
About 60 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.