Opticians, Dispensing salary in Wisconsin
Opticians, Dispensing in Wisconsin earn a median of $44,820 a year ($21.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,320 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $47,260. Wisconsin ranks 31st of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.49 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| 25th percentile | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Median | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| 75th percentile | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Average (mean) | $46,000 | $22.11 |
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 | $3,735 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,867.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,723.85 |
| Weekly | $861.92 |
| Hourly | $21.55 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $48,840 | 930 |
| Madison, WI | $46,480 | 210 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $46,240 | 60 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $45,930 | 310 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $45,740 | 50 |
| Kenosha, WI | $45,420 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $45,090 | 50 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $44,910 | 30 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $44,620 | 60 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $43,910 | 60 |
| Green Bay, WI | $43,660 | 90 |
| Appleton, WI | $43,620 | 70 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $39,950 | 50 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $38,900 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $40,290 | $19.37 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $51,350 | $24.69 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Surgical Technologist | $74,120 | $35.64 |
| Paramedic | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Wisconsin is $44,820 a year, or $21.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Wisconsin earn at least $60,320 a year. The top 25% earn $48,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,680 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,090 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Wisconsin?
About 1,430 opticians, dispensing are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.