Opticians, Dispensing salary in Illinois
Opticians, Dispensing in Illinois earn a median of $43,960 a year ($21.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,830 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $47,260. Illinois ranks 34th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.53 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 25th percentile | $38,190 | $18.36 |
| Median | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| 75th percentile | $47,850 | $23.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Average (mean) | $46,020 | $22.13 |
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 | $3,663.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,831.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,690.77 |
| Weekly | $845.38 |
| Hourly | $21.14 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $44,530 | 2,420 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $42,070 | 90 |
| Rockford, IL | $42,070 | 60 |
| Bloomington, IL | $40,150 | 80 |
| Springfield, IL | $39,790 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,230 | 750 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,210 | 30 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $37,080 | 40 |
| Peoria, IL | $37,040 | 150 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $36,100 | 50 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $71,950 | $34.59 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Paramedic | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $100,660 | $48.40 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $95,380 | $45.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Illinois is $43,960 a year, or $21.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Illinois?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Illinois earn at least $62,830 a year. The top 25% earn $47,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,080 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,190 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Illinois?
About 3,250 opticians, dispensing are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.