Opticians, Dispensing salary in North Carolina
Opticians, Dispensing in North Carolina earn a median of $50,190 a year ($24.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,340 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $47,260. North Carolina ranks 14th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.41 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 25th percentile | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Median | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| 75th percentile | $73,080 | $35.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,340 | $39.11 |
| Average (mean) | $55,810 | $26.83 |
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 | $4,182.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,091.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,930.38 |
| Weekly | $965.19 |
| Hourly | $24.13 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,420 | 120 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $58,310 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,780 | 60 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,990 | 130 |
| Burlington, NC | $55,530 | 40 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,900 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,390 | 400 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,620 | 490 |
| Asheville, NC | $49,110 | 70 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,090 | 480 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,400 | 130 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $40,910 | 80 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,480 | $22.35 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| Paramedic | $57,320 | $27.56 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,920 | $29.29 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,010 | $41.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $55,460 | $26.67 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $45,150 | $21.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in North Carolina is $50,190 a year, or $24.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in North Carolina earn at least $81,340 a year. The top 25% earn $73,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,500 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,620 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in North Carolina?
About 2,020 opticians, dispensing are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.