Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Athens
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,070 a year or less, while the top 10% make $75,300 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Athens earn between $37,440 and $63,240.
- $36K10th
- $37K25th
- $46KMedian
- $63K75th
- $75K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $50,500 | $4,208 | $24.28 |
| Median | $46,250 | $3,854 | $22.24 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,440 | $3,120 | $18.00 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $63,240 | $5,270 | $30.40 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Athens vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Athens earn 6% less than the Georgia average ($53,570) and about the same as the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $50,500 | $46,250 | $36,070 | $75,300 | 70 |
| Georgia | $53,570 | $48,010 | $36,800 | $74,120 | 2,290 |
| United States | $51,770 | $47,260 | $35,610 | $76,750 | 73,530 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Opticians, Dispensing salary after taxes in Athens
On the average salary of $50,500, a single filer in Athens takes home about $40,985 a year, or $3,415 a month and $1,576 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Athens a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Athens area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.3), so the average $50,500 buys what about $54,102 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Athens ($41,220). A typical home costs $373,118, or 7.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Georgia cities
Athens ranks 3rd of 10 Georgia metro areas for this job; Atlanta pays the most ($56,350).
- Atlanta$56,350
- Savannah$51,210
- Athens$50,500
- Gainesville$50,050
- Augusta$49,520
- Macon$48,180
- Valdosta$47,440
- Warner Robins$46,190
- Columbus$45,640
- Albany$43,460
Highest-paying cities for opticians, dispensing
Bridgeport, CT pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($74,410).
- Bridgeport, CT$74,410
- Norwich, CT$72,040
- Waterbury, CT$70,540
- Santa Rosa, CA$70,420
- Syracuse, NY$70,310
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Opticians, Dispensing salary in Athens: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Athens?
$24.28 an hour on average, and $22.24 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,070 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,440, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Athens?
About $40,985 a year ($3,415 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,500.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Athens than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($51,770).
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; area Athens-Clarke County, GA (12020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.1%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.57, this job is 1.6 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.