Opticians, Dispensing Salary in State College, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • State College, PA

Median annual salary $43,360 -6.9% vs national
Median hourly $20.85
10th percentile $35,360
90th percentile $49,450
Employed locally 50
National median $46,560

Compare Opticians, Dispensing salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how State College, PA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Opticians, Dispensing
in
State College, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,360
    25th
    $37,300
    50th (median)
    $43,360
    75th
    $46,760
    90th
    $49,450

    State College economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,748 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 60% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 40% 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
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $62,070
    Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL $61,100
    Napa, CA $57,620
    Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL $56,880
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $54,600
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $52,610

    Related occupations in State College, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $80,620
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $59,220
    Pharmacy Technicians $36,310
    Pharmacists $133,370
    Emergency Medical Technicians $37,120
    Dental Hygienists $74,420

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in State College?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in State College, PA is $20.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $27.29 or more per hour.

    Is State College above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in State College, PA is 6.9% 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 State College?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $35,360 per year in State College, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,300.