Opticians, Dispensing salary in Richmond, VA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $55,020 a year ($26.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,240 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 1% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $55,820. There are 0.47 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,960, close to the median.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 25th percentile | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Median | $55,020 | $26.45 |
| 75th percentile | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Average (mean) | $53,960 | $25.94 |
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 | $4,585 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,292.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,116.15 |
| Weekly | $1,058.08 |
| Hourly | $26.45 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg, VA | $62,980 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $59,520 | 1,080 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $58,190 | 40 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $57,140 | 60 |
| Roanoke, VA | $52,650 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,390 | 400 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,890 | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,510 | 110 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $95,660 | $45.99 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $53,220 | $25.59 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $71,960 | $34.60 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,980 | $29.32 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| Nuclear Medicine Technologist | $97,300 | $46.78 |
| Orthotists and Prosthetists | $87,530 | $42.08 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Richmond, VA metro area is $55,020 a year, or $26.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $71,240 a year. The top 25% earn $62,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,440 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $45,510 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Richmond, VA?
About 310 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.