South Dakota Median
$43,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#36 of 51
430 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in South Dakota?
Opticians, Dispensing in South Dakota take home a median of $43,400 annually — roughly $20.87 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $47,260.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $32,390 while the top 10% make $49,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,640 and $46,190 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,390 | $15.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,640 | $17.62 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,400 | $20.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,190 | $22.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,730 | $23.91 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 36th 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 $43,950Arkansas $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 Dakota
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 Dakota pay ($43,400) 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 Dakota?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in South Dakota is $43,400 per year, or about $20.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,390 at the entry level to $49,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Opticians, Dispensing about 8% less than the national median of $47,260. South Dakota ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,400 a year. About 430 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.