Opticians, Dispensing salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $46,080 a year ($22.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,740 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 4% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $44,480. There are 0.59 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| 25th percentile | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Median | $46,080 | $22.16 |
| 75th percentile | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| Average (mean) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
Half of opticians, dispensing earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,840 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,920 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,772.31 |
| Weekly | $886.15 |
| Hourly | $22.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $46,000 | 50 |
| Dubuque, IA | $45,560 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $45,090 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $44,930 | 30 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $43,340 | 340 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $42,070 | 90 |
| Ames, IA | $40,860 | 40 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $38,330 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for opticians, dispensing
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $75,300 |
| Hawaii | $75,300 |
| New Jersey | $72,460 |
| Massachusetts | $67,210 |
| New York | $63,880 |
| District of Columbia | $61,310 |
| Florida | $58,850 |
| Alaska | $58,250 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Vermont | $57,350 |
See Opticians, Dispensing pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,670 | $30.61 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $50,240 | $24.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,470 | $20.42 |
| Surgical Technologist | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Paramedic | $61,980 | $29.80 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $87,080 | $41.87 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a opticians, dispensing make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $46,080 a year, or $22.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $56,740 a year. The top 25% earn $49,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,570 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $39,140 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 240 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.