Opticians, Dispensing pay in Iowa
In Iowa, the median pay for opticians, dispensing is $21.39 an hour ($44,480 a year). About 920 people work in this job there.
That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($47,260). Iowa ranks 32nd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Iowa
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.92 | $37,270 |
| 25% of workers | $18.55 | $38,570 |
| Half of workers (median) | $21.39 | $44,480 |
| 75% of workers | $22.39 | $46,570 |
| 90% of workers | $25.86 | $53,790 |
Opticians, Dispensing pay in Iowa metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $46,080 | 240 |
| Iowa City | $46,000 | 50 |
| Dubuque | $45,560 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids | $45,090 | 90 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls | $44,930 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $42,070 | 90 |
| Ames | $40,860 | 40 |
| Sioux City | $38,330 | 50 |
Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for opticians, dispensing
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +4.2% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 5,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistants | $45,480 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $44,860 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 |
| Pharmacy Aides | $33,270 |
| Medical Equipment Preparers | $39,930 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | $44,030 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 |
Other job titles for this job
Open opticians, dispensing jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring opticians, dispensing? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.