Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants roles in the UK earn a median of £23,500 per year, equivalent to £12.87 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 6.9% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £20,000 in North East to £24,500 in East. Pay has risen over the past 5 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £23,783/yr (1% below our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£23,500
as of 2025
High confidenceMedian Hourly Pay
£12.87
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+6.9%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£20,500 – £28,000
25th – 75th percentile
There is currently not sufficient data available for this occupation to say anything about the labour market.
Median annual pay for Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants across UK regions.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
| Region | Median Pay |
|---|---|
| East | £24,500 |
| North West | £24,500 |
| South East | £24,000 |
| South West | £23,500 |
| Wales | £23,500 |
| London | £23,000 |
| West Midlands | £23,000 |
| East Midlands | £23,000 |
| Scotland | £23,000 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £22,000 |
| North East | £20,000 |
| UK | £23,500 |
Annual pay grew by +6.9% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
The median salary for a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the UK is £23,500 per year (about £12.87 per hour), based on official ONS data for 2025.
Most Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earn between £20,500 and £28,000 a year (the 25th to 75th percentile of UK pay).
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants pay rose by 6.9% from 2024 to 2025.
The highest median pay for Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants is in East, at £24,500 per year.
For job seekers
Check your salary against official UK data for Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants roles — broken down by region and seniority level. Free, instant, no sign-up required.
For employers & recruiters
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants work under the supervision of pharmacists and opticians or optometrists to dispense drugs and medicines, issue pre-packaged prescriptions, sell over-the-counter medication, dispense spectacles and contact lenses and other related products.
Entrants usually possess GCSEs/S grades. Training is typically received on-the-job, supplemented by study towards vocational qualifications. NVQs/ SVQs are available in relevant areas and at various levels, and apprenticeships may be available.
Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.