Opticians, Dispensing salary in South Carolina
Opticians, Dispensing in South Carolina earn a median of $48,000 a year ($23.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,890 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $47,260. South Carolina ranks 22nd of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.39 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.43 |
| 25th percentile | $39,320 | $18.90 |
| Median | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 75th percentile | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,890 | $35.53 |
| Average (mean) | $51,010 | $24.53 |
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 | $4,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,000 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,846.15 |
| Weekly | $923.08 |
| Hourly | $23.08 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg, SC | $55,170 | 60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,620 | 490 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $48,390 | 110 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $48,120 | 50 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $47,900 | 140 |
| Florence, SC | $47,150 | 50 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $46,920 | 160 |
| Columbia, SC | $46,150 | 130 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,700 | 150 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $42,120 | $20.25 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,370 | $19.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,280 | $26.10 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,160 | $29.89 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Paramedic | $53,550 | $25.74 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $83,290 | $40.04 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in South Carolina is $48,000 a year, or $23.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in South Carolina earn at least $73,890 a year. The top 25% earn $61,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,240 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $39,320 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in South Carolina?
About 890 opticians, dispensing are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.