Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Opticians, Dispensing's pay go, state by state?
A Opticians, Dispensing's pay leaves the most room in Connecticut — about $4,337/mo take-home against $1,483/mo typical rent — and the least in Texas.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $4,337/mo | $1,483/mo | 34% |
| Massachusetts | $4,150/mo | $1,716/mo | 41% |
| New York | $3,983/mo | $1,621/mo | 41% |
| New Jersey | $4,015/mo | $1,656/mo | 41% |
| Alaska | $3,515/mo | $1,361/mo | 39% |
| Vermont | $3,353/mo | $1,207/mo | 36% |
| Virginia | $3,617/mo | $1,547/mo | 43% |
| Ohio | $3,048/mo | $986/mo | 32% |
| District of Columbia | $3,936/mo | $1,900/mo | 48% |
| South Carolina | $3,101/mo | $1,131/mo | 36% |
| North Carolina | $3,090/mo | $1,147/mo | 37% |
| Arkansas | $2,839/mo | $903/mo | 32% |
| Montana | $2,908/mo | $1,031/mo | 35% |
| Maine | $2,929/mo | $1,104/mo | 38% |
| Tennessee | $2,835/mo | $1,111/mo | 39% |
| Kentucky | $2,636/mo | $918/mo | 35% |
| Minnesota | $2,948/mo | $1,230/mo | 42% |
| California | $3,680/mo | $1,969/mo | 54% |
| New Hampshire | $3,110/mo | $1,424/mo | 46% |
| Florida | $3,225/mo | $1,542/mo | 48% |
| Oregon | $3,056/mo | $1,431/mo | 47% |
| Rhode Island | $2,896/mo | $1,289/mo | 45% |
| North Dakota | $2,511/mo | $911/mo | 36% |
| Iowa | $2,490/mo | $932/mo | 37% |
| South Dakota | $2,419/mo | $910/mo | 38% |
| West Virginia | $2,352/mo | $848/mo | 36% |
| Nevada | $2,974/mo | $1,478/mo | 50% |
| Wisconsin | $2,491/mo | $1,033/mo | 41% |
| Nebraska | $2,460/mo | $1,017/mo | 41% |
| Michigan | $2,502/mo | $1,072/mo | 43% |
| Washington | $3,058/mo | $1,641/mo | 54% |
| Arizona | $2,832/mo | $1,419/mo | 50% |
| Wyoming | $2,381/mo | $979/mo | 41% |
| Indiana | $2,391/mo | $1,022/mo | 43% |
| New Mexico | $2,367/mo | $1,034/mo | 44% |
| Kansas | $2,352/mo | $1,025/mo | 44% |
| Pennsylvania | $2,485/mo | $1,176/mo | 47% |
| Missouri | $2,298/mo | $997/mo | 43% |
| Georgia | $2,617/mo | $1,320/mo | 50% |
| Hawaii | $3,222/mo | $1,927/mo | 60% |
| Idaho | $2,434/mo | $1,163/mo | 48% |
| Colorado | $2,885/mo | $1,659/mo | 58% |
| Oklahoma | $2,170/mo | $970/mo | 45% |
| Louisiana | $2,218/mo | $1,028/mo | 46% |
| Illinois | $2,433/mo | $1,246/mo | 51% |
| Maryland | $2,848/mo | $1,683/mo | 59% |
| Delaware | $2,432/mo | $1,321/mo | 54% |
| Mississippi | $2,035/mo | $933/mo | 46% |
| Alabama | $2,015/mo | $967/mo | 48% |
| Utah | $2,443/mo | $1,396/mo | 57% |
| Texas | $2,349/mo | $1,328/mo | 57% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.