Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $47,310 +1.6% vs national
Median hourly $22.74
10th percentile $37,250
90th percentile $69,120
Employed locally 40
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
in
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,250
    25th
    $45,890
    50th (median)
    $47,310
    75th
    $62,100
    90th
    $69,120

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 73% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 27% 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
    Vallejo, CA $64,400
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $62,570
    Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area $62,040
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $61,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,220
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $60,780

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $126,880
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $71,430
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,720
    Nurse Practitioners $153,100
    Pharmacists $153,090
    Dental Hygienists $117,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Merced, CA is $22.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $33.23 or more per hour.

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

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Merced, CA is 1.6% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $37,250 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,890.