Opticians, Dispensing salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Opticians, Dispensing in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $52,390 a year ($25.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,760 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 6% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $55,820. There are 0.53 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,870 | $17.24 |
| 25th percentile | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| Median | $52,390 | $25.19 |
| 75th percentile | $61,540 | $29.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Average (mean) | $53,690 | $25.81 |
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 | $4,365.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,182.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,015 |
| Weekly | $1,007.50 |
| Hourly | $25.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,420 | 120 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $58,310 | 80 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $58,190 | 40 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $57,780 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $57,140 | 60 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,990 | 130 |
| Burlington, NC | $55,530 | 40 |
| Richmond, VA | $55,020 | 310 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $54,900 | 30 |
| Roanoke, VA | $52,650 | 90 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,620 | 490 |
| Asheville, NC | $49,110 | 70 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $48,890 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,090 | 480 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,400 | 130 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $40,910 | 80 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $38,510 | 110 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,860 | $28.30 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,590 | $24.32 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,350 | $21.32 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,100 | $37.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| Surgical Technologist | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Paramedic | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $42,510 | $20.44 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $52,390 a year, or $25.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $68,760 a year. The top 25% earn $61,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,870 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $46,450 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 400 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.