Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Alabama

Opticians, dispensing in Alabama earn the most in Huntsville (average $43,560 a year) and the least in Dothan ($34,440), across the 7 Alabama metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the opticians, dispensing average at $38,710 and the median at $36,880 for 880 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $51,770.

Opticians, Dispensing average salary by city in Alabama

Huntsville$43,560
Daphne$40,320
Birmingham$40,310
Montgomery$38,050
Mobile$37,690
Tuscaloosa$37,610
Dothan$34,440

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Huntsville	$43,560	$37,700	$36,370	$35,395	93
Daphne	$40,320	$37,410	$35,830	$32,934	95
Birmingham	$40,310	$37,410	$35,750	$32,926	92
Montgomery	$38,050	$36,440	$33,630	$31,210	90
Mobile	$37,690	$35,960	$32,420	$30,937	88
Tuscaloosa	$37,610	$36,500	$35,020	$30,876	88
Dothan	$34,440	$34,420	$29,410	$28,472	84

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; city occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Opticians, Dispensing salary in other states

Opticians, Dispensing salary by city and state

More about pay in Alabama

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-2081.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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