Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Grand Rapids
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,210 a year or less, while the top 10% make $58,510 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Grand Rapids earn between $37,760 and $46,570.
- $35K10th
- $38K25th
- $42KMedian
- $47K75th
- $59K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $44,680 | $3,723 | $21.48 |
| Median | $41,820 | $3,485 | $20.11 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,760 | $3,147 | $18.15 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $46,570 | $3,881 | $22.39 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Grand Rapids vs. Michigan and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Grand Rapids earn about the same as the Michigan average ($43,530) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids | $44,680 | $41,820 | $35,210 | $58,510 | 370 |
| Michigan | $43,530 | $41,180 | $34,610 | $52,090 | 3,080 |
| 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 Grand Rapids
On the average salary of $44,680, a single filer in Grand Rapids takes home about $35,845 a year, or $2,987 a month and $1,379 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
Is Grand Rapids a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Grand Rapids area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.5), so the average $44,680 buys what about $46,763 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Grand Rapids ($47,570). A typical home costs $359,923, or 8.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Michigan cities
Grand Rapids ranks 3rd of 10 Michigan metro areas for this job; Ann Arbor pays the most ($47,540).
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
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Opticians, Dispensing salary in Grand Rapids: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Grand Rapids?
$21.48 an hour on average, and $20.11 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Grand Rapids?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,210 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Grand Rapids?
About $35,845 a year ($2,987 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $44,680. Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Grand Rapids than elsewhere?
The average here is 14% 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 Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI (24340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.4%.
- 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 (2025 rules). Includes Grand Rapids's local income tax (1.5%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.32, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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