Opticians, Dispensing salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Opticians, Dispensing in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $44,930 a year ($21.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,500 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $47,260. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $44,480. There are 0.40 opticians, dispensing per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,930, close to the median.
Pay range for opticians, dispensing in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $38,030 | $18.29 |
| Median | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| 75th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Average (mean) | $43,930 | $21.12 |
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 | $3,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,872.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,728.08 |
| Weekly | $864.04 |
| Hourly | $21.60 |
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 |
| 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,950 | $19.69 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $46,570 | $22.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Paramedic | $62,350 | $29.98 |
| Surgical Technologist | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,330 | $60.73 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, 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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for opticians, dispensing in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $44,930 a year, or $21.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid opticians, dispensing make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of opticians, dispensing in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $50,500 a year. The top 25% earn $46,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for opticians, dispensing in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,140 a year, and a quarter of opticians, dispensing earn $38,030 or less.
How many opticians, dispensing work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 30 opticians, dispensing are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.