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Occupation · SOC 29-2081

Opticians, Dispensing

There are 73,530 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $47,260 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

HealthcareTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
73,530
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$47,260
Median pay a year
Middle half: $38,820–$61,700
5,600
Annual openings
10-year change: +4.2%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 318 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $71,050 · LCA filings 03,460$71,0500
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $56,130 · LCA filings 03,070$56,1300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $44,530 · LCA filings 02,420$44,5300
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $46,030 · LCA filings 02,070$46,0300
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $38,050 · LCA filings 01,660$38,0500
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $43,830 · LCA filings 01,470$43,8300
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $51,890 · LCA filings 01,380$51,8900
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $61,880 · LCA filings 01,250$61,8800
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $48,960 · LCA filings 01,140$48,9600
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $59,520 · LCA filings 01,080$59,5200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Vallejo, CAEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$78,830900
Bridgeport–Stamford–Danbury, CTEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$78,6001300
Santa Rosa–Petaluma, CAEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$77,4601200
Waterbury–Shelton, CTEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$76,820700
Norwich–New London–Willimantic, CTEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$76,170600

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $57,658 · Level III $67,850 · Level IV $78,021$47,486$57,658$67,850$78,021
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $51,563 · Level III $59,654 · Level IV $67,725$43,493$51,563$59,654$67,725
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $42,661 · Level III $47,133 · Level IV $51,605$38,189$42,661$47,133$51,605
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $39,811 · Level III $45,552 · Level IV $51,293$34,070$39,811$45,552$51,293
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $36,296 · Level III $41,496 · Level IV $46,675$31,117$36,296$41,496$46,675
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $40,435 · Level III $44,346 · Level IV $48,235$36,546$40,435$44,346$48,235
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $48,901 · Level III $56,264 · Level IV $63,648$41,517$48,901$56,264$63,648
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $48,630 · Level III $57,491 · Level IV $66,373$39,749$48,630$57,491$66,373
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $50,606 · Level III $55,952 · Level IV $61,298$45,261$50,606$55,952$61,298
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $48,339 · Level III $57,034 · Level IV $65,728$39,645$48,339$57,034$65,728

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied ProfessionsCIP 51.18OPT · up to 12 months21OPT · up to 12 months

See Opticians, Dispensing in every metro area

All 318 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology