SOC 29-2081 · Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro

Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Michigan City, IN

The average salary for opticians, dispensing in Michigan City, Indiana is $39,600 a year ($19.04 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $38,070: half of the 40 people in this job in the Michigan City-La Porte, IN metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($51,770).

$39,600average per year

$19.04 / hourMedian $38,070Take-home ≈ $32,281

  • $31K10th
  • $34K25th
  • $38KMedian
  • $43K75th
  • $55K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

40people in this job
-24%vs U.S. average
#9 of 11Indiana metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Michigan City

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,720 a year or less, while the top 10% make $54,820 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Michigan City earn between $34,330 and $42,860.

  • $31K10th
  • $34K25th
  • $38KMedian
  • $43K75th
  • $55K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$39,600$3,300$19.04
Median$38,070$3,172$18.30
Entry level (25th percentile)$34,330$2,861$16.50
Experienced (75th percentile)$42,860$3,572$20.61

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Opticians, Dispensing pay in Michigan City vs. Indiana and the U.S.

Opticians, dispensing in Michigan City earn 4% less than the Indiana average ($41,390) and 24% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -19% against the U.S. median of $47,260.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Michigan City$39,600$38,070$30,720$54,82040
Indiana$41,390$39,370$31,930$49,9602,010
United States$51,770$47,260$35,610$76,75073,530

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Opticians, Dispensing salary after taxes in Michigan City

On the average salary of $39,600, a single filer in Michigan City takes home about $32,281 a year, or $2,690 a month and $1,242 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Michigan City's local income tax (1.45%).

Indiana paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Michigan City a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Michigan City area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.7), so the average $39,600 buys what about $43,193 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Michigan City ($45,540). A typical home costs $258,579, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $39,600 is worth in another city

Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Indiana cities

Michigan City ranks 9th of 11 Indiana metro areas for this job; Fort Wayne pays the most ($43,280).

All Opticians, Dispensing salaries in Indiana

Highest-paying cities for opticians, dispensing

Bridgeport, CT pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($74,410).

Opticians, Dispensing salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Opticians, Dispensing in Michigan City, IN.

Opticians, Dispensing salary in Michigan City: questions

How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Michigan City?

$19.04 an hour on average, and $18.30 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Michigan City?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,720 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,330, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Michigan City?

About $32,281 a year ($2,690 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $39,600. Includes Michigan City's local income tax (1.45%).

Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Michigan City than elsewhere?

The average here is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($51,770).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-2081; area Michigan City-La Porte, IN (33140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.7%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Michigan City's local income tax (1.45%).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 2.06, this job is 2.1 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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