Opticians, Dispensing salary in Columbia, SC
Opticians, Dispensing in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $46,150 a year ($22.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,440 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $48,000. There are 0.33 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $48,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| 25th percentile | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Median | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| 75th percentile | $57,100 | $27.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,440 | $32.91 |
| Average (mean) | $48,720 | $23.42 |
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 | $3,845.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,922.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775 |
| Weekly | $887.50 |
| Hourly | $22.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $55,170 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,620 | 490 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $48,390 | 110 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $48,120 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $47,900 | 140 |
| Florence, SC | $47,150 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $46,920 | 160 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,700 | 150 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Columbia, SC metro area is $46,150 a year, or $22.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $68,440 a year. The top 25% earn $57,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,700 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,200 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Columbia, SC?
About 130 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.