Opticians, Dispensing salary in District of Columbia
Opticians, Dispensing in District of Columbia earn a median of $61,310 a year ($29.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,110 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $47,260. District of Columbia ranks 6th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.11 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.24). The average (mean) salary is $61,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,190 | $21.73 |
| 25th percentile | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Median | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| 75th percentile | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| Average (mean) | $61,790 | $29.71 |
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 | $5,109.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,554.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,358.08 |
| Weekly | $1,179.04 |
| Hourly | $29.48 |
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 District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $59,520 | 1,080 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $55,920 | $26.88 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,740 | $36.42 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $67,430 | $32.42 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Surgical Technologist | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $99,380 | $47.78 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $72,040 | $34.63 |
| Dietetic Technician | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $44,080 | $21.19 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $112,020 | $53.86 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $128,710 | $61.88 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in District of Columbia is $61,310 a year, or $29.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in District of Columbia earn at least $86,110 a year. The top 25% earn $65,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,190 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $48,040 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in District of Columbia?
About 80 opticians, dispensing are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.