Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Salinas, CA

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

Median annual salary $55,700 +19.6% vs national
Median hourly $26.78
10th percentile $39,560
90th percentile $74,670
Employed locally 60
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
in
Salinas, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,560
    25th
    $43,140
    50th (median)
    $55,700
    75th
    $70,650
    90th
    $74,670

    Salinas economic context

    Unemployment rate 7.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,486 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 59% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 41% 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 Salinas, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $135,080
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $80,600
    Pharmacy Technicians $48,870
    Family Medicine Physicians $410,370
    Pharmacists $169,050
    Medical Records Specialists $50,640

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Salinas, CA is $26.78, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.24 or more per hour.

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

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Salinas, CA is 19.6% 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 Salinas?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $39,560 per year in Salinas, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,140.