EYECARE BY THE NUMBERS
Show Me The Money
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC
A recent National Academy of Opticianry survey puts a spotlight on dispensing opticians' salaries around the country and provides an overview of the nation's best-paying positions for professionals in opticianry.
The statistics are the result of NAO's cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment Projections, in preparation of the recently released "Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-2007 Edition." This publication, which comes out every two years, gives job descriptions and future job demand.
Earnings estimates listed here focus on earning potential for dispensing opticians nationwide.
MEDIAN EARNINGS
At the final tally, median annual earnings of dispensing opticians were $27,950 in 2004. The lowest 10th percentile earns less than $17,390, while those in the 90th percentile bring home $45,340 each year.
The following chart provides an in-depth look at the national salary outlook for opticians.
| National Employment Estimate and Mean Wage Estimates for Dispensing Opticians: | ||
| EMPLOYMENT | MEAN HOURLY WAGE | MEAN ANNUAL WAGE |
| 62,350 | $14.37 | $29,880 |
| National Percentile Wage Estimates for Dispensing Opticians: | |||||
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly wage | $8.36 | $10.27 | $13.44 | $17.28 | $21.80 |
| Annual wage | $17,390 | $21,360 | $27,950 | $35,940 | $45,340 |
| Top-Paying Industry Segments for Dispensing Opticianry | ||
| EMPLOYMENT | HOURLY MEAN WAGE | ANNUAL MEAN WAGE |
| Management of companies and enterprises | $19.09 | $39,710 |
| Colleges and universities | $17.01 | $35,390 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | $16.86 | $35,070 |
| Outpatient care centers | $16.48 | $34,270 |
| Commercial equipment merchant wholesalers | $15.77 | $32,790 |
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