Opticians, Dispensing pay in California
In California, the median pay for opticians, dispensing is $27.88 an hour ($57,990 a year). About 7,840 people work in this job there.
That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($47,260). California ranks 9th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.38 | $42,390 |
| 25% of workers | $22.62 | $47,050 |
| Half of workers (median) | $27.88 | $57,990 |
| 75% of workers | $37.24 | $77,460 |
| 90% of workers | $39.27 | $81,680 |
Opticians, Dispensing pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo | $78,830 | 90 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $77,460 | 120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $62,240 | 580 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $60,480 | 390 |
| Modesto | $59,010 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $58,360 | 940 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $58,250 | 120 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $58,240 | 490 |
| Napa | $57,620 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $56,130 | 3,070 |
| Chico | $56,100 | 30 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $55,950 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $55,680 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $55,380 | 40 |
| Salinas | $55,140 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $55,070 | 870 |
| Fresno | $50,960 | 160 |
| Visalia | $50,590 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $50,520 | 150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $46,970 | 130 |
| Redding | $46,040 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for opticians, dispensing
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 5,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | $49,660 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $49,130 |
| Medical Equipment Preparers | $61,370 |
| Pharmacy Aides | $42,200 |
| Optometrists | $136,300 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $54,490 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.