Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $58,530 +25.7% vs national
Median hourly $28.14
10th percentile $37,910
90th percentile $75,460
Employed locally 1,310
National median $46,560

Compare Opticians, Dispensing salary & buying power

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Opticians, Dispensing
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,910
    25th
    $46,570
    50th (median)
    $58,530
    75th
    $67,610
    90th
    $75,460

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income 47% Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 53% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $101,800
    Physicians, All Other $191,880
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $71,900
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,550
    Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other $162,610
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $71,280

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $28.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.50 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?

    The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 25.7% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $37,910 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,570.