Opticians, Dispensing salary in New Mexico
Opticians, Dispensing in New Mexico earn a median of $39,090 a year ($18.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,920 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $47,260. New Mexico ranks 44th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.39 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| 25th percentile | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Median | $39,090 | $18.80 |
| 75th percentile | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| Average (mean) | $43,750 | $21.04 |
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 | $3,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,628.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,503.46 |
| Weekly | $751.73 |
| Hourly | $18.80 |
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 New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $40,200 | 50 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $39,230 | 170 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,940 | $38.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| Paramedic | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Surgical Technologist | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,210 | $41.93 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,610 | $18.56 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in New Mexico is $39,090 a year, or $18.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in New Mexico earn at least $72,920 a year. The top 25% earn $47,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,010 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,050 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in New Mexico?
About 340 opticians, dispensing are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.