Opticians, Dispensing salary in Charleston, WV
Opticians, Dispensing in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $38,130 a year ($18.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,140 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is about the same as the West Virginia statewide median of $38,120. There are 0.45 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| 25th percentile | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Median | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 75th percentile | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Average (mean) | $41,820 | $20.11 |
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 | $3,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,588.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,466.54 |
| Weekly | $733.27 |
| Hourly | $18.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $59,520 | 1,080 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $58,190 | 40 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $43,660 | 40 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $39,780 | 40 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $38,650 | 80 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $38,120 | 30 |
| Morgantown, WV | $36,790 | 40 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $54,370 | $26.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,930 | $18.24 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,570 | $38.26 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,980 | $30.28 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| Surgical Technologist | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Paramedic | $43,110 | $20.73 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $32,850 | $15.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $41,710 | $20.06 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, WV
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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Charleston, WV metro area is $38,130 a year, or $18.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $54,140 a year. The top 25% earn $46,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,340 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $37,310 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Charleston, WV?
About 50 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.