Opticians, Dispensing salary in Reading, PA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Reading, PA metro area earn a median of $42,470 a year ($20.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,660 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 7% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $45,450. There are 0.34 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $43,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Reading, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,940 | $14.40 |
| 25th percentile | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Median | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| 75th percentile | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| Average (mean) | $43,610 | $20.97 |
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 | $3,539.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,769.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,633.46 |
| Weekly | $816.73 |
| Hourly | $20.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,300 | 1,070 |
| Lancaster, PA | $48,620 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $48,190 | 150 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $46,470 | 450 |
| State College, PA | $46,150 | 40 |
| Lebanon, PA | $46,010 | 40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $45,710 | 100 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $45,300 | 100 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $44,860 | 120 |
| Erie, PA | $39,120 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $37,860 | 30 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Reading, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Paramedic | $60,050 | $28.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,740 | $41.70 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $79,280 | $38.12 |
| Dietetic Technician | $34,090 | $16.39 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Reading, PA
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 Reading, PA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Reading, PA metro area is $42,470 a year, or $20.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Reading, PA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Reading, PA metro area earn at least $56,660 a year. The top 25% earn $47,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Reading, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,940 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,180 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Reading, PA?
About 60 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Reading, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.