South Carolina Median
$48,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#22 of 51
890 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in South Carolina?
Opticians, Dispensing in South Carolina take home a median of $48,000 annually — roughly $23.08 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $47,260.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $36,240 while the top 10% make $73,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,320 and $61,360 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,240 | $17.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,320 | $18.90 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,360 | $29.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,890 | $35.52 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 22nd 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 $48,010Rhode 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 $39,090Missouri $38,750Texas $38,720West Virginia $38,120Oklahoma $37,940Alabama $36,880Mississippi $36,680Louisiana $36,360
Working as an Optician, Dispensing in South Carolina
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 South Carolina pay ($48,000) 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 South Carolina?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in South Carolina is $48,000 per year, or about $23.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,240 at the entry level to $73,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Opticians, Dispensing about 2% more than the national median of $47,260. South Carolina ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Yes on pay — South Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $48,000 a year. About 890 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in South Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.