Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Duluth
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,200 a year or less, while the top 10% make $57,660 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Duluth earn between $38,540 and $48,740.
- $36K10th
- $39K25th
- $46KMedian
- $49K75th
- $58K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $46,120 | $3,843 | $22.17 |
| Median | $46,240 | $3,853 | $22.23 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $38,540 | $3,212 | $18.53 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $48,740 | $4,062 | $23.43 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Duluth vs. Minnesota and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Duluth earn 8% less than the Minnesota average ($50,370) and 11% less than 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $46,120 | $46,240 | $36,200 | $57,660 | 60 |
| Minnesota | $50,370 | $48,020 | $36,920 | $67,490 | 1,490 |
| 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 Duluth
On the average salary of $46,120, a single filer in Duluth takes home about $37,589 a year, or $3,132 a month and $1,446 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
The Duluth, MN-WI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WI | $37,852 | $3,154 |
| Working in MN | $37,589 | $3,132 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Is Duluth a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Duluth area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.8), so the average $46,120 buys what about $51,956 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Duluth ($50,000). A typical home costs $264,350, or 5.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Minnesota cities
Duluth ranks 4th of 4 Minnesota metro areas for this job; Minneapolis pays the most ($51,810).
- Minneapolis$51,810
- Rochester$51,350
- St. Cloud$47,700
- Duluth$46,120
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 Duluth: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Duluth?
$22.18 an hour on average, and $22.23 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Duluth?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,200 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,540, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Duluth?
About $37,589 a year ($3,132 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $46,120. Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Duluth than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% 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 Duluth, MN-WI (20260). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.3%.
- 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). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.03, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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