Opticians, Dispensing salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $38,510 a year ($18.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,550 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 23% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $49,840. There are 0.91 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,490 | $15.62 |
| 25th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Median | $38,510 | $18.52 |
| 75th percentile | $50,970 | $24.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,550 | $32.48 |
| Average (mean) | $44,860 | $21.57 |
Half of opticians, dispensing earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,209.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,604.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,481.15 |
| Weekly | $740.58 |
| Hourly | $18.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg, VA | $62,980 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $59,520 | 1,080 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $58,190 | 40 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $57,140 | 60 |
| Richmond, VA | $55,020 | 310 |
| Roanoke, VA | $52,650 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $52,390 | 400 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $52,300 | 440 |
| Morristown, TN | $51,770 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $51,010 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $49,050 | 190 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,890 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $47,660 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $47,620 | 220 |
| Jackson, TN | $47,480 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $47,140 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Paramedic | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $45,830 | $22.03 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $37,610 | $18.08 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $74,910 | $36.02 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $41,530 | $19.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,110 | $22.17 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $38,510 a year, or $18.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $67,550 a year. The top 25% earn $50,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,490 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $35,570 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 110 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.