SOC 29-2081 · Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro

Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Scranton, PA

The average salary for opticians, dispensing in Scranton, Pennsylvania is $44,760 a year ($21.52 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $44,860: half of the 120 people in this job in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 14% less than the U.S. average for this job ($51,770).

$44,760average per year

$21.52 / hourMedian $44,860Take-home ≈ $36,771

  • $36K10th
  • $39K25th
  • $45KMedian
  • $48K75th
  • $56K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

120people in this job
-14%vs U.S. average
#8 of 12Pennsylvania metros
94cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Scranton

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,760 a year or less, while the top 10% make $56,420 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Scranton earn between $38,790 and $47,840.

  • $36K10th
  • $39K25th
  • $45KMedian
  • $48K75th
  • $56K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$44,760$3,730$21.52
Median$44,860$3,738$21.57
Entry level (25th percentile)$38,790$3,232$18.65
Experienced (75th percentile)$47,840$3,987$23.00

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Opticians, Dispensing pay in Scranton vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.

Opticians, dispensing in Scranton earn 3% less than the Pennsylvania average ($46,330) and 14% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -5% against the U.S. median of $47,260.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Scranton$44,760$44,860$35,760$56,420120
Pennsylvania$46,330$45,450$36,160$58,4502,230
United States$51,770$47,260$35,610$76,75073,530

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Opticians, Dispensing salary after taxes in Scranton

On the average salary of $44,760, a single filer in Scranton takes home about $36,771 a year, or $3,064 a month and $1,414 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Pennsylvania paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Scranton a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Scranton area are 6% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.6), so the average $44,760 buys what about $47,843 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Scranton ($46,330). A typical home costs $227,793, or 5.1 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $44,760 is worth in another city

Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Pennsylvania cities

Scranton ranks 8th of 12 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job; Philadelphia pays the most ($53,620).

All Opticians, Dispensing salaries in Pennsylvania

Highest-paying cities for opticians, dispensing

Bridgeport, CT pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($74,410).

Opticians, Dispensing salary by city

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Reviewed before it counts. Opticians, Dispensing in Scranton, PA.

Opticians, Dispensing salary in Scranton: questions

How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Scranton?

$21.52 an hour on average, and $21.57 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Scranton?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $35,760 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,790, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Scranton?

About $36,771 a year ($3,064 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $44,760. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.

Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Scranton 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA (42540). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
  • 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) 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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