Opticians, Dispensing salary in Missouri
Opticians, Dispensing in Missouri earn a median of $38,750 a year ($18.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,810 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $47,260. Missouri ranks 45th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.55 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| 25th percentile | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Median | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| 75th percentile | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,810 | $26.35 |
| Average (mean) | $43,900 | $21.11 |
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 | $3,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,614.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,490.38 |
| Weekly | $745.19 |
| Hourly | $18.63 |
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 Missouri
| 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 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,650 | 150 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $36,680 | 50 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,530 | $29.58 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,040 | $22.13 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $73,080 | $35.14 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $45,840 | $22.04 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Paramedic | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,120 | $29.39 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $83,110 | $39.96 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $40,290 | $19.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Missouri is $38,750 a year, or $18.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Missouri?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Missouri earn at least $54,810 a year. The top 25% earn $46,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,110 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,050 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Missouri?
About 1,600 opticians, dispensing are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.