West Virginia Median
$38,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.33
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#47 of 51
350 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in West Virginia?
Opticians, Dispensing in West Virginia take home a median of $38,120 annually — roughly $18.33 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $47,260.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $31,250 while the top 10% make $52,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $33,340 and $46,630 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,250 | $15.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $33,340 | $16.03 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,120 | $18.33 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,630 | $22.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,370 | $25.18 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 47th 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 $39,090Missouri $38,750Texas $38,720Oklahoma $37,940Alabama $36,880Mississippi $36,680Louisiana $36,360
Working as an Optician, Dispensing in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($38,120) 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 West Virginia?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in West Virginia is $38,120 per year, or about $18.33 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,250 at the entry level to $52,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Opticians, Dispensing about 19% less than the national median of $47,260. West Virginia ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,120 a year. About 350 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.