Opticians, Dispensing salary in Montana
Opticians, Dispensing in Montana earn a median of $47,050 a year ($22.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,730 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $47,260. Montana ranks 26th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.64 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| 25th percentile | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Median | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| 75th percentile | $54,560 | $26.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Average (mean) | $49,220 | $23.66 |
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 | $3,920.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,960.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,809.62 |
| Weekly | $904.81 |
| Hourly | $22.62 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $51,760 | 40 |
| Missoula, MT | $48,050 | 50 |
| Great Falls, MT | $47,120 | 40 |
| Billings, MT | $46,260 | 90 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,970 | $29.31 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $41,170 | $19.79 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,290 | $22.74 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Paramedic | $50,890 | $24.47 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $101,000 | $48.56 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $82,850 | $39.83 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Montana is $47,050 a year, or $22.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Montana?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Montana earn at least $64,730 a year. The top 25% earn $54,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,240 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $40,330 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Montana?
About 330 opticians, dispensing are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.