Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $42,090 -9.6% vs national
Median hourly $20.24
10th percentile $36,530
90th percentile $62,560
Employed locally 2,810
National median $46,560

Compare Opticians, Dispensing salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Opticians, Dispensing
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,530
    25th
    $37,930
    50th (median)
    $42,090
    75th
    $47,600
    90th
    $62,560

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 47% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 53% 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
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $68,790
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $61,100
    Gainesville, FL $59,970
    Charlottesville, VA $59,700
    Asheville, NC $58,500
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $58,420

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $96,480
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,570
    Physicians, All Other $215,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $72,920
    Pharmacists $137,610
    Physical Therapists $104,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Chicago, IL-IN is $20.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.56 or more per hour.

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

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 9.6% below 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 Chicago?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $36,530 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,930.