Opticians, Dispensing salary in South Dakota
Opticians, Dispensing in South Dakota earn a median of $43,400 a year ($20.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,730 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $47,260. South Dakota ranks 36th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.93 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,560, close to the median.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,390 | $15.57 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Median | $43,400 | $20.87 |
| 75th percentile | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Average (mean) | $42,560 | $20.46 |
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 | $3,616.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,808.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,669.23 |
| Weekly | $834.62 |
| Hourly | $20.87 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $44,190 | 170 |
| Rapid City, SD | $38,760 | 60 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,330 | 50 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,610 | $24.81 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,820 | $38.85 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,300 | $21.78 |
| Paramedic | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,010 | $37.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $67,290 | $32.35 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in South Dakota is $43,400 a year, or $20.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in South Dakota earn at least $49,730 a year. The top 25% earn $46,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,390 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $36,640 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in South Dakota?
About 430 opticians, dispensing are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.