Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,870 a year or less, while the top 10% make $76,850 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Memphis earn between $36,660 and $57,770.
- $33K10th
- $37K25th
- $48KMedian
- $58K75th
- $77K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $49,320 | $4,110 | $23.71 |
| Median | $47,620 | $3,968 | $22.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $36,660 | $3,055 | $17.62 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $57,770 | $4,814 | $27.77 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Memphis earn 5% less than the Tennessee average ($51,920) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is +1% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $49,320 | $47,620 | $32,870 | $76,850 | 220 |
| Tennessee | $51,920 | $49,840 | $34,740 | $74,160 | 1,530 |
| 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 Memphis
On the average salary of $49,320, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $41,809 a year, or $3,484 a month and $1,608 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $41,809 | $3,484 |
| Working in MS | $40,568 | $3,381 |
| Working in AR | $40,472 | $3,373 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $49,320 buys what about $53,505 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 7th of 9 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($54,980).
- Nashville$54,980
- Johnson City$52,240
- Knoxville$51,920
- Morristown$51,220
- Clarksville$50,300
- Chattanooga$49,920
- Memphis$49,320
- Jackson$48,140
- Kingsport$44,860
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 Memphis: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Memphis?
$23.71 an hour on average, and $22.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,870 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,660, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Memphis?
About $41,809 a year ($3,484 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $49,320. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.78, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.78).
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