Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Erie
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,860 a year or less, while the top 10% make $53,910 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Erie earn between $36,680 and $45,540.
- $35K10th
- $37K25th
- $39KMedian
- $46K75th
- $54K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $41,880 | $3,490 | $20.13 |
| Median | $39,120 | $3,260 | $18.81 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,680 | $3,057 | $17.63 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $45,540 | $3,795 | $21.89 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Erie vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Erie earn 10% less than the Pennsylvania average ($46,330) and 19% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -17% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $41,880 | $39,120 | $34,860 | $53,910 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,330 | $45,450 | $36,160 | $58,450 | 2,230 |
| United States | $51,770 | $47,260 | $35,610 | $76,750 | 73,530 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Opticians, Dispensing salary after taxes in Erie
On the average salary of $41,880, a single filer in Erie takes home about $34,545 a year, or $2,879 a month and $1,329 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Erie a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Erie area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 91.0), so the average $41,880 buys what about $46,047 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Erie ($44,460). A typical home costs $224,109, or 5.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Erie ranks 11th of 12 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($53,620).
- Philadelphia$53,620
- Allentown$50,680
- Lancaster$48,180
- Harrisburg$46,910
- York$46,670
- Pittsburgh$45,720
- State College$44,820
- Scranton$44,760
- Reading$43,610
- Erie$41,880
Highest-paying cities for opticians, dispensing
Bridgeport, CT pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($74,410).
- Bridgeport, CT$74,410
- Norwich, CT$72,040
- Waterbury, CT$70,540
- Santa Rosa, CA$70,420
- Syracuse, NY$70,310
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Opticians, Dispensing salary in Erie: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Erie?
$20.14 an hour on average, and $18.81 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Erie?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,860 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,680, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Erie?
About $34,545 a year ($2,879 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $41,880. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Erie than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% 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 Erie, PA (21500). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.15, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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