Missouri Median
$38,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#45 of 51
1,600 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Missouri?
Opticians, Dispensing in Missouri take home a median of $38,750 annually — roughly $18.63 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $47,260.
Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $34,110 while the top 10% make $54,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,050 and $46,680 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in Missouri
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,110 | $16.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,050 | $17.33 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,750 | $18.63 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,680 | $22.44 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,810 | $26.35 |
|
How Missouri compares
Missouri ranks 45th 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 $44,290Illinois $43,960Idaho $43,950South Dakota $43,400Arkansas $42,880Utah $41,780Michigan $41,180Kansas $40,140Nebraska $39,830Indiana $39,370Wyoming $39,100New Mexico $39,090Texas $38,720West Virginia $38,120Oklahoma $37,940Alabama $36,880Mississippi $36,680Louisiana $36,360
Working as an Optician, Dispensing in Missouri
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 Missouri pay ($38,750) 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 Missouri?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in Missouri is $38,750 per year, or about $18.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,110 at the entry level to $54,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Opticians, Dispensing about 18% less than the national median of $47,260. Missouri ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,750 a year. About 1,600 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.