Opticians, Dispensing pay range in State College
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,130 a year or less, while the top 10% make $56,770 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in State College earn between $37,590 and $47,890.
- $35K10th
- $38K25th
- $46KMedian
- $48K75th
- $57K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $44,820 | $3,735 | $21.55 |
| Median | $46,150 | $3,846 | $22.19 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,590 | $3,132 | $18.07 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $47,890 | $3,991 | $23.02 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in State College vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in State College earn 3% less than the Pennsylvania average ($46,330) and 13% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State College | $44,820 | $46,150 | $35,130 | $56,770 | 40 |
| 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 State College
On the average salary of $44,820, a single filer in State College takes home about $36,817 a year, or $3,068 a month and $1,416 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 State College a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the State College area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.8), so the average $44,820 buys what about $46,320 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in State College ($49,220). A typical home costs $353,680, or 7.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Pennsylvania cities
State College ranks 7th 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
- Lebanon$43,250
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 State College: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in State College?
$21.55 an hour on average, and $22.19 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in State College?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,130 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,590, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in State College?
About $36,817 a year ($3,068 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $44,820. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in State College than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% 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 State College, PA (44300). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.6%.
- 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 1.14, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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