Opticians, Dispensing Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $50,960 +9.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.50
10th percentile $43,150
90th percentile $76,380
Employed locally 580
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
in
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,150
    25th
    $49,820
    50th (median)
    $50,960
    75th
    $72,800
    90th
    $76,380

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 50% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 50% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in San Diego, CA is $24.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.58 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in San Diego, CA is 9.5% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $43,150 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,820.