Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Lake Charles
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,030 a year or less, while the top 10% make $46,370 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Lake Charles earn between $31,930 and $42,560.
- $29K10th
- $32K25th
- $35KMedian
- $43K75th
- $46K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $37,140 | $3,095 | $17.86 |
| Median | $35,130 | $2,928 | $16.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $31,930 | $2,661 | $15.35 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $42,560 | $3,547 | $20.46 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Lake Charles vs. Louisiana and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Lake Charles earn about the same as the Louisiana average ($37,840) and 28% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -26% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $37,140 | $35,130 | $29,030 | $46,370 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $37,840 | $36,360 | $28,840 | $46,870 | 720 |
| 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 Lake Charles
On the average salary of $37,140, a single filer in Lake Charles takes home about $31,294 a year, or $2,608 a month and $1,204 every two weeks. Taxes take 16% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Lake Charles a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Lake Charles area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9), so the average $37,140 buys what about $43,260 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Lake Charles ($45,700). A typical home costs $202,237, or 5.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Louisiana cities
Lake Charles ranks 5th of 9 Louisiana metro areas for this job; Slidell pays the most ($40,610).
- Slidell$40,610
- New Orleans$39,400
- Baton Rouge$38,540
- Lafayette$38,350
- Lake Charles$37,140
- Houma$36,720
- Shreveport$36,620
- Monroe$35,280
- Alexandria$33,820
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 Lake Charles: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Lake Charles?
$17.86 an hour on average, and $16.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Lake Charles?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $29,030 a year and the 25th percentile is $31,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Lake Charles?
About $31,294 a year ($2,608 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,140.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Lake Charles than elsewhere?
The average here is 28% less than 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 Lake Charles, LA (29340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.3%.
- 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 0.79, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.79).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.