Opticians, Dispensing salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Opticians, Dispensing in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $36,500 a year ($17.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,020 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 1% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $36,880. There are 0.32 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $37,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| 25th percentile | $35,020 | $16.84 |
| Median | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| 75th percentile | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,020 | $21.64 |
| Average (mean) | $37,610 | $18.08 |
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 | $3,041.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,520.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,403.85 |
| Weekly | $701.92 |
| Hourly | $17.55 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $39,450 | 70 |
| Huntsville, AL | $37,700 | 100 |
| Birmingham, AL | $37,410 | 220 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $37,410 | 50 |
| Montgomery, AL | $36,440 | 40 |
| Mobile, AL | $35,960 | 60 |
| Dothan, AL | $34,420 | 90 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,360 | $26.62 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $52,860 | $25.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $46,930 | $22.56 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $69,040 | $33.19 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Paramedic | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Surgical Technologist | $49,190 | $23.65 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $39,050 | $18.78 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $32,630 | $15.69 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $35,590 | $17.11 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $37,270 | $17.92 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, AL
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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $36,500 a year, or $17.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $45,020 a year. The top 25% earn $38,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,990 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $35,020 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 30 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.