Opticians, Dispensing Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • St. Louis, MO-IL

Median annual salary $37,980 -18.4% vs national
Median hourly $18.26
10th percentile $33,530
90th percentile $55,580
Employed locally 810
National median $46,560

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Opticians, Dispensing
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,530
    25th
    $34,710
    50th (median)
    $37,980
    75th
    $47,310
    90th
    $55,580

    St. Louis economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $78,225 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 49% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 51% 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
    Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ $64,940
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $61,220
    Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL $59,410
    Vermont $57,500
    Modesto, CA $52,690
    Richmond, VA $52,000

    Related occupations in St. Louis, MO-IL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $82,560
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $62,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $54,740
    Pharmacy Technicians $40,030
    Nurse Practitioners $129,390
    Pharmacists $137,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in St. Louis?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in St. Louis, MO-IL is $18.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.35 or more per hour.

    Is St. Louis above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in St. Louis, MO-IL is 18.4% below 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 St. Louis?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $33,530 per year in St. Louis, MO-IL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,710.