Opticians, Dispensing salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Opticians, Dispensing in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $39,450 a year ($18.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,650 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 18% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $48,010. There are 0.58 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,710 | $15.25 |
| 25th percentile | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Median | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| 75th percentile | $56,320 | $27.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Average (mean) | $45,640 | $21.94 |
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 | $3,287.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,643.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,517.31 |
| Weekly | $758.65 |
| Hourly | $18.97 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $51,890 | 1,380 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,140 | 130 |
| Savannah, GA | $46,440 | 100 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $46,250 | 70 |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,310 | 50 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $44,870 | 40 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $44,810 | 30 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,700 | 150 |
| Valdosta, GA | $44,220 | 30 |
| Albany, GA | $39,670 | 40 |
| 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 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,330 | $28.53 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $52,560 | $25.27 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,910 | $31.21 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $52,580 | $25.28 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| Paramedic | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Surgical Technologist | $58,170 | $27.97 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,310 | $38.61 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $35,140 | $16.90 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $36,410 | $17.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $39,450 a year, or $18.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $63,650 a year. The top 25% earn $56,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,710 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,060 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 70 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.