Opticians, Dispensing salary in Iowa
Opticians, Dispensing in Iowa earn a median of $44,480 a year ($21.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 920 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,790 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $47,260. Iowa ranks 32nd of 51 states for opticians, dispensing pay. There are 0.59 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| 25th percentile | $38,570 | $18.55 |
| Median | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| 75th percentile | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Average (mean) | $44,570 | $21.43 |
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 | $3,706.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,853.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,710.77 |
| Weekly | $855.38 |
| Hourly | $21.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Opticians, Dispensing salary in cities in Iowa
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,660 | $19.55 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Paramedic | $60,590 | $29.13 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,850 | $37.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in Iowa is $44,480 a year, or $21.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Iowa?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in Iowa earn at least $53,790 a year. The top 25% earn $46,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,270 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,570 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Iowa?
About 920 opticians, dispensing are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.