Opticians, Dispensing salary in State College, PA
Opticians, Dispensing in the State College, PA metro area earn a median of $46,150 a year ($22.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,770 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 2% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $45,450. There are 0.54 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,820, close to the median.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in State College, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| 25th percentile | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Median | $46,150 | $22.19 |
| 75th percentile | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,770 | $27.29 |
| Average (mean) | $44,820 | $21.55 |
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 | $3,845.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,922.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,775 |
| Weekly | $887.50 |
| Hourly | $22.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,300 | 1,070 |
| Lancaster, PA | $48,620 | 120 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $48,190 | 150 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $46,470 | 450 |
| Lebanon, PA | $46,010 | 40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $45,710 | 100 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $45,300 | 100 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $44,860 | 120 |
| Reading, PA | $42,470 | 60 |
| Erie, PA | $39,120 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $37,860 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in State College, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,400 | $17.98 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $43,980 | $21.15 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $63,450 | $30.50 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Dental Hygienist | $78,530 | $37.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,970 | $47.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Pharmacist | $135,010 | $64.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in State College, PA
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 State College, PA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the State College, PA metro area is $46,150 a year, or $22.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in State College, PA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the State College, PA metro area earn at least $56,770 a year. The top 25% earn $47,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in State College, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,130 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $37,590 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in State College, PA?
About 40 opticians, dispensing are employed in the State College, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.