Opticians, Dispensing salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $55,950 a year ($26.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,460 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 4% lower than the California statewide median of $57,990. There are 0.50 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| 25th percentile | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Median | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| 75th percentile | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Average (mean) | $58,650 | $28.20 |
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 | $4,662.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,331.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,151.92 |
| Weekly | $1,075.96 |
| Hourly | $26.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $78,830 | 90 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $77,460 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $62,240 | 580 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,480 | 390 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,010 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $58,360 | 940 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $58,250 | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $58,240 | 490 |
| Napa, CA | $57,620 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $56,130 | 3,070 |
| Chico, CA | $56,100 | 30 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $55,680 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $55,380 | 40 |
| Salinas, CA | $55,140 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,070 | 870 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,960 | 160 |
| Visalia, CA | $50,590 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $50,520 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $46,970 | 130 |
| Redding, CA | $46,040 | 40 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $50,100 | $24.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $129,920 | $62.46 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| Surgical Technologist | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $51,970 | $24.98 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $142,150 | $68.34 |
| Paramedic | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,710 | $21.01 |
| Registered Nurse | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 | $62.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $55,950 a year, or $26.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $77,460 a year. The top 25% earn $77,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,910 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $48,990 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 50 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.