Opticians, Dispensing salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Opticians, Dispensing in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $36,680 a year ($17.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,360 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 5% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $38,750. 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 $39,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Median | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| 75th percentile | $41,970 | $20.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Average (mean) | $39,640 | $19.06 |
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 | $3,056.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,528.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,410.77 |
| Weekly | $705.38 |
| Hourly | $17.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City, MO | $43,440 | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $40,930 | 450 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $39,230 | 750 |
| Topeka, KS | $37,890 | 60 |
| Wichita, KS | $37,850 | 150 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,650 | 150 |
| Columbia, MO | $36,600 | 60 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $36,390 | 40 |
| 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 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,000 | $22.60 |
| Paramedic | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Surgical Technologist | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $39,670 | $19.07 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $70,480 | $33.88 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $36,680 | $17.63 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
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 Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $36,680 a year, or $17.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $47,360 a year. The top 25% earn $41,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $33,860 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 50 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.