Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $53,450 +14.8% vs national
Median hourly $25.70
10th percentile $39,040
90th percentile $78,090
Employed locally 60
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
in
Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,040
    25th
    $44,550
    50th (median)
    $53,450
    75th
    $68,930
    90th
    $78,090

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 56% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 44% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$133,470
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$76,640
    Pharmacy Technicians$49,130
    Family Medicine Physicians$287,230
    Physical Therapists$121,330
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$50,870

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Santa Maria, CA is $25.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.90 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Santa Maria, CA is 14.8% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $39,040 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,550.