SOC 29-2081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Opticians, Dispensing — Buffalo
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · 10 metro areas compared
At $60,620 a year, the median wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Buffalo, NY sits 28.3% above the national figure of $47,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $60,620 a year, the median wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Buffalo, NY sits 28.3% above the national figure of $47,260. Half of workers earn between $52,130 and $63,660. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $44,990 and the ninetieth at $77,380.
The area has 280 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. New York leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $71,050. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 308th of 586 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,990 | −4.8% |
| 25th | $52,130 | +10.3% |
| Median (50th) | $60,620 | +28.3% |
| 75th | $63,660 | +34.7% |
| 90th | $77,380 | +63.7% |
| Mean | $64,330 | +36.1% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $71,050 | 3,460 | |
| 2 | Syracuse | $68,880 | 180 | |
| 3 | Watertown | $65,870 | 30 | |
| 4 | Kiryas Joel | $64,280 | 150 | |
| 5 | Albany | $63,710 | 180 | |
| 6 | Kingston | $63,390 | 40 | |
| 7 | Utica | $62,930 | 50 | |
| 8 | Rochester | $62,230 | 240 | |
| 9 | Glens Falls | $61,850 | 40 | |
| 10 | Binghamton | $60,290 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Buffalo run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $60,620 buys what $56,182 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 18.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,620as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,182US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,620 a year, 28.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $44,990 to $77,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New York, at $71,050.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Buffalo, NY?
The median annual wage is $60,620, or $29.14 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $47,260, so pay in Buffalo, NY is 28.3% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Buffalo, NY earns more than $77,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $44,990 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in New York, at $71,050 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Buffalo, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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