Opticians, Dispensing Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $61,220 +31.5% vs national
Median hourly $29.43
10th percentile $43,680
90th percentile $80,710
Employed locally 870
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $43,680
    25th
    $51,150
    50th (median)
    $61,220
    75th
    $76,750
    90th
    $80,710

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 46% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 54% 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $60,780
    Utica-Rome, NY $60,420

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $188,020
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $90,810
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $81,390
    Pharmacy Technicians $61,990
    Pharmacists $183,510
    Dental Hygienists $146,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in San Francisco, CA is $29.43, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.39 or more per hour.

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

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in San Francisco, CA is 31.5% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $43,680 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,150.