Illinois Median
$43,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#34 of 51
3,250 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Illinois?
Opticians, Dispensing in Illinois take home a median of $43,960 annually — roughly $21.13 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $47,260.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $37,080 while the top 10% make $62,830 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,190 and $47,850 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,080 | $17.83 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,190 | $18.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,960 | $21.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,830 | $30.21 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories for Optician, Dispensing pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optician, Dispensing salary in other states
Connecticut $75,300Hawaii $75,300New Jersey $72,460Massachusetts $67,210New York $63,880District of Columbia $61,310Florida $58,850Alaska $58,250California $57,990Vermont $57,350Virginia $55,820New Hampshire $51,980Ohio $50,500North Carolina $50,190Tennessee $49,840Washington $49,220Oregon $49,210Maryland $48,700Arizona $48,210Minnesota $48,020Georgia $48,010South Carolina $48,000Rhode Island $47,400Colorado $47,310Maine $47,220Montana $47,050Nevada $46,910Delaware $46,220Pennsylvania $45,450North Dakota $45,230Wisconsin $44,820Iowa $44,480Kentucky $44,290Idaho $43,950South Dakota $43,400Arkansas $42,880Utah $41,780Michigan $41,180Kansas $40,140Nebraska $39,830Indiana $39,370Wyoming $39,100New Mexico $39,090Missouri $38,750Texas $38,720West Virginia $38,120Oklahoma $37,940Alabama $36,880Mississippi $36,680Louisiana $36,360
Working as an Optician, Dispensing in Illinois
Nationally, about 74,000 people work as Opticians, Dispensing in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($43,960) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Illinois?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in Illinois is $43,960 per year, or about $21.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,080 at the entry level to $62,830 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Opticians, Dispensing about 7% less than the national median of $47,260. Illinois ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,960 a year. About 3,250 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optician, Dispensing salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.