Dispensing opticians roles in the UK earn a median of £28,000 per year, equivalent to £15.32 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 1.2% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £23,500 in South East to £33,500 in London. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £28,543/yr (2% below our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£28,000
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£15.32
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+1.2%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£25,500 – £
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Dispensing opticians across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| London | £33,500 |
| East | £29,000 |
| Scotland | £29,000 |
| North West | £27,500 |
| East Midlands | £27,500 |
| South West | £27,000 |
| West Midlands | £27,000 |
| Wales | £27,000 |
| North East | £27,000 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £26,500 |
| South East | £23,500 |
| UK | £28,000 |
Annual pay grew by +1.2% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Dispensing opticians.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Dispensing opticians in the UK is £28,000 per year (about £15.32 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Dispensing opticians earn between £25,500 and £ a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Dispensing opticians pay rose by 1.2% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Dispensing opticians is in London, at £33,500 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Dispensing opticians roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Dispensing opticians supply, fit and service spectacles, contact lenses and other optical aids in accordance with a prescription from an optician or optometrist.
Entry is most common with GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications or experience, followed by up to three years training approved by the General Optical Council (GOC). To practice entrants must pass professional exams and register with the GOC. Full-time, day-release or distance-learning options are available.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.