Opticians, Dispensing salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Opticians, Dispensing in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $47,620 a year ($22.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,840. There are 0.37 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $49,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,870 | $15.81 |
| 25th percentile | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Median | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| 75th percentile | $57,770 | $27.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Average (mean) | $49,320 | $23.71 |
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 | $3,968.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,984.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,831.54 |
| Weekly | $915.77 |
| Hourly | $22.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,300 | 440 |
| Morristown, TN | $51,770 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,010 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,050 | 190 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,660 | 60 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,480 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,140 | 130 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,020 | 150 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $45,790 | 30 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $43,280 | 200 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $39,920 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,510 | 110 |
| Jackson, MS | $37,580 | 130 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $37,530 | 70 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,370 | 70 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $36,770 | 30 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $36,260 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,320 | $31.88 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Paramedic | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,710 | $19.09 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $47,620 a year, or $22.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $76,850 a year. The top 25% earn $57,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,870 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,660 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 220 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.