Opticians, Dispensing salary in Kentucky
Opticians, Dispensing in Kentucky earn a median of $44,290 a year ($21.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 950 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,130 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $47,260. Kentucky ranks 33rd of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.47 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $47,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,190 | $14.51 |
| 25th percentile | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Median | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| 75th percentile | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,130 | $31.31 |
| Average (mean) | $47,050 | $22.62 |
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 | $3,690.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,845.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,703.46 |
| Weekly | $851.73 |
| Hourly | $21.29 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $50,730 | 570 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,660 | 60 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $47,310 | 120 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $45,070 | 30 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $40,560 | 340 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $39,210 | 30 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $38,650 | 80 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $37,000 | 60 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| Paramedic | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $91,230 | $43.86 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Kentucky is $44,290 a year, or $21.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Kentucky earn at least $65,130 a year. The top 25% earn $59,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,190 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,770 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Kentucky?
About 950 opticians, dispensing are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.