Opticians, Dispensing salary in Ames, IA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $40,860 a year ($19.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,670 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 8% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $44,480. There are 0.64 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 25th percentile | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Median | $40,860 | $19.64 |
| 75th percentile | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Average (mean) | $43,350 | $20.84 |
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 | $3,405 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,702.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,571.54 |
| Weekly | $785.77 |
| Hourly | $19.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $46,080 | 240 |
| 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 |
| 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 Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,610 | $31.55 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $56,380 | $27.10 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,760 | $32.09 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Paramedic | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,000 | $22.12 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $89,130 | $42.85 |
| Veterinarian | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,600 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Ames, 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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Ames, IA metro area is $40,860 a year, or $19.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $50,670 a year. The top 25% earn $46,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,650 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $39,170 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Ames, IA?
About 40 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.