Opticians, Dispensing pay range in Milwaukee
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,280 a year or less, while the top 10% make $63,500 or more. The middle half of opticians, dispensing in Milwaukee earn between $38,670 and $51,100.
- $37K10th
- $39K25th
- $46KMedian
- $51K75th
- $64K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $47,740 | $3,978 | $22.95 |
| Median | $45,930 | $3,828 | $22.08 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $38,670 | $3,222 | $18.59 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $51,100 | $4,258 | $24.57 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Milwaukee vs. Wisconsin and the U.S.
Opticians, dispensing in Milwaukee earn 4% more than the Wisconsin average ($46,000) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($51,770). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $47,260.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $47,740 | $45,930 | $37,280 | $63,500 | 310 |
| Wisconsin | $46,000 | $44,820 | $36,680 | $60,320 | 1,430 |
| 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 Milwaukee
On the average salary of $47,740, a single filer in Milwaukee takes home about $39,074 a year, or $3,256 a month and $1,503 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 (2026 rules).
Is Milwaukee a good place for opticians, dispensing? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Milwaukee area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.9), so the average $47,740 buys what about $49,248 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Milwaukee ($51,160). A typical home costs $390,238, or 8.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other Wisconsin cities
Milwaukee ranks 2nd of 12 Wisconsin metro areas for this job; Madison pays the most ($48,490).
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 Milwaukee: questions
How much do opticians, dispensing make an hour in Milwaukee?
$22.95 an hour on average, and $22.08 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level opticians, dispensing salary in Milwaukee?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,280 a year and the 25th percentile is $38,670, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the opticians, dispensing take-home pay in Milwaukee?
About $39,074 a year ($3,256 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $47,740.
Do opticians, dispensing earn more in Milwaukee than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI (33340). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.79, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.79).
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