SOC 29-2081 · Richmond, VA metro

Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Richmond, VA

The average salary for opticians, dispensing in Richmond, Virginia is $53,960 a year ($25.94 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $55,020: half of the 310 people in this job in the Richmond, VA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 3% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($52,330).

$53,960average per year

$25.94 / hourMedian $55,020Take-home ≈ $43,248

  • $36K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $55KMedian
  • $62K75th
  • $71K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

310people in this job
+3%vs U.S. metro average
#4 of 7Virginia metros
98cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Richmond

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $71,240 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Richmond earn between $45,510 and $62,440.

  • $36K10th
  • $46K25th
  • $55KMedian
  • $62K75th
  • $71K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$53,960$4,497$25.94
Median$55,020$4,585$26.45
Entry level (25th percentile)$45,510$3,792$21.88
Experienced (75th percentile)$62,440$5,203$30.02

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

Opticians, Dispensing salary after taxes in Richmond

On the average salary of $53,960, a single filer in Richmond takes home about $43,248 a year, or $3,604 a month and $1,663 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).

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

Prices in the Richmond area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.9), so the average $53,960 buys what about $55,141 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Richmond ($51,460). A typical home costs $397,705, or 7.4 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $53,960 is worth in another city

Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Virginia cities

Richmond ranks 4th of 7 Virginia metro areas for this job; Harrisonburg pays the most ($59,730).

All Opticians, Dispensing salaries in Virginia

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 Richmond, VA.

Opticians, Dispensing salary in Richmond: questions

How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Richmond?

$25.94 an hour on average, and $26.45 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,510, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $43,248 a year ($3,604 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $53,960.

Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Richmond than elsewhere?

The average here is 3% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($52,330).

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 Richmond, VA (40060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.6%.
  • 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).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.00, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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