Opticians, Dispensing salary in Rhode Island
Opticians, Dispensing in Rhode Island earn a median of $47,400 a year ($22.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,130 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $47,260. Rhode Island ranks 23rd of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.69 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Median | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| 75th percentile | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Average (mean) | $54,140 | $26.03 |
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 | $3,950 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,975 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,823.08 |
| Weekly | $911.54 |
| Hourly | $22.79 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $48,940 | 450 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $75,780 | $36.44 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $85,330 | $41.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $57,800 | $27.79 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,310 | $21.78 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $92,820 | $44.63 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Surgical Technologist | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Paramedic | $63,550 | $30.55 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Rhode Island is $47,400 a year, or $22.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Rhode Island earn at least $77,130 a year. The top 25% earn $60,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $45,700 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Rhode Island?
About 350 opticians, dispensing are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.