Opticians, Dispensing salary in Rochester, NY
Opticians, Dispensing in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $62,230 a year ($29.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,680 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 3% lower than the New York statewide median of $63,880. There are 0.49 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| 25th percentile | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Median | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| 75th percentile | $68,520 | $32.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Average (mean) | $62,370 | $29.99 |
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 | $5,185.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,592.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,393.46 |
| Weekly | $1,196.73 |
| Hourly | $29.92 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $71,050 | 3,460 |
| Syracuse, NY | $68,880 | 180 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $65,870 | 30 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $64,280 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,710 | 180 |
| Kingston, NY | $63,390 | 40 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $62,930 | 50 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $61,850 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $60,620 | 280 |
| Binghamton, NY | $60,290 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,940 | $19.68 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $81,290 | $39.08 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,010 | $23.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Paramedic | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,030 | $22.61 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $41,770 | $20.08 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Rochester, NY metro area is $62,230 a year, or $29.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $78,680 a year. The top 25% earn $68,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,210 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $50,750 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Rochester, NY?
About 240 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.