Opticians, Dispensing salary in Washington
Opticians, Dispensing in Washington earn a median of $49,220 a year ($23.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,830 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $47,260. Washington ranks 16th of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.59 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,120 | $19.77 |
| 25th percentile | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Median | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| 75th percentile | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,830 | $37.90 |
| Average (mean) | $55,010 | $26.45 |
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 | $4,101.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,050.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,893.08 |
| Weekly | $946.54 |
| Hourly | $23.66 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $60,140 | 30 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $58,250 | 60 |
| Bellingham, WA | $53,050 | 60 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $50,490 | 50 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $49,620 | 600 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,540 | 120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $48,960 | 1,140 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $48,780 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $47,650 | 180 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,240 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $83,150 | $39.98 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $62,090 | $29.85 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| Surgical Technologist | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $121,340 | $58.34 |
| Paramedic | $104,310 | $50.15 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $83,790 | $40.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Washington is $49,220 a year, or $23.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Washington?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Washington earn at least $78,830 a year. The top 25% earn $60,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,120 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $46,240 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Washington?
About 2,100 opticians, dispensing are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.