Opticians, Dispensing salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Opticians, Dispensing in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $45,930 a year ($22.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,500 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $44,820. There are 0.38 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $47,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Median | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| 75th percentile | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Average (mean) | $47,740 | $22.95 |
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 | $3,827.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,913.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,766.54 |
| Weekly | $883.27 |
| Hourly | $22.08 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $48,840 | 930 |
| Madison, WI | $46,480 | 210 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $46,240 | 60 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $45,740 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $45,420 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $45,090 | 50 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $44,910 | 30 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $44,620 | 60 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $43,910 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $43,660 | 90 |
| Appleton, WI | $43,620 | 70 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $39,950 | 50 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $38,900 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| Paramedic | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Surgical Technologist | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $105,490 | $50.72 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $61,580 | $29.61 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $45,930 a year, or $22.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $63,500 a year. The top 25% earn $51,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,280 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,670 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 310 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.