Opticians, Dispensing salary in Dubuque, IA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $45,560 a year ($21.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,200 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $44,480. There are 0.72 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| 25th percentile | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Median | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| 75th percentile | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,200 | $27.02 |
| Average (mean) | $46,130 | $22.18 |
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 | $3,796.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,898.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,752.31 |
| Weekly | $876.15 |
| Hourly | $21.91 |
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 |
| 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 Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,100 | $21.69 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,720 | $23.91 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $41,260 | $19.84 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,500 | $29.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,790 | $36.92 |
| Pharmacist | $145,390 | $69.90 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,620 | $62.32 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,410 | $39.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,840 | $48.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $45,560 a year, or $21.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $56,200 a year. The top 25% earn $47,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,060 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $39,210 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Dubuque, IA?
About 40 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.