Opticians, Dispensing salary in Rapid City, SD
Opticians, Dispensing in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $38,760 a year ($18.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,850 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 11% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $43,400. There are 0.80 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,010 | $15.39 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Median | $38,760 | $18.63 |
| 75th percentile | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Average (mean) | $40,710 | $19.57 |
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 | $3,230 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,615 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,490.77 |
| Weekly | $745.38 |
| 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $44,190 | 170 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,330 | 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 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $39,440 | $18.96 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,300 | $18.89 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $81,840 | $39.35 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.73 |
| Paramedic | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Registered Nurse | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Pharmacist | $140,340 | $67.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $38,760 a year, or $18.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $46,850 a year. The top 25% earn $45,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,010 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,640 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Rapid City, SD?
About 60 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.