Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $47,150 +1.3% vs national
Median hourly $22.67
10th percentile $35,600
90th percentile $74,220
Employed locally 120
National median $46,560

Compare Opticians, Dispensing salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Opticians, Dispensing
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,600
    25th
    $39,910
    50th (median)
    $47,150
    75th
    $64,400
    90th
    $74,220

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 57% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 43% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Opticians, Dispensing

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $72,750
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $68,790
    Barnstable Town, MA $66,880
    New Jersey $66,250
    Watertown-Fort Drum, NY $65,870
    New Haven, CT $64,990

    Nearby metros — Opticians, Dispensing salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $62,130
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,220
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $49,980
    Spartanburg, SC $49,810
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $47,220
    Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC $46,960

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $80,620
    Pharmacy Technicians $44,040
    Physicians, All Other $163,900
    Nurse Practitioners $123,100
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $61,010
    Pharmacists $140,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Charleston, SC is $22.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.95 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Charleston, SC is 1.3% above the national median of $46,560. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Opticians, Dispensing in Charleston?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $35,600 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,910.