Optician salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An optician earns a median of $47,260 a year ($22.72 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $51,770. About 73,530 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $47,260
- Gross pay
- $1,817.69
- Federal income tax
- −$134.28
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$112.70
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$26.36
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,544.36
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $47,260
- Federal
- $3,491
- FICA
- $3,615
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $40,153
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician: $47,380
- Pharmacy Technician: $45,750
- Ophthalmic Medical Technician: $45,570
- Psychiatric Technician: $45,130
- EMT: $44,470
- Health Technologist and Technician: $50,290
- Medical Coder: $51,140
- Dietetic Technician: $37,640
BLS occupation: Opticians, Dispensing. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 29-2081). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an optician make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $22.72; the average is $24.89.
What is the salary range for an optician?
The bottom 10% earn under $35,610 and the top 10% earn over $76,750 a year.
How much is $47,260 after taxes?
About $40,153 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $38,664 in California for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.