Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants roles in the UK earn a median of £24,000 per year, equivalent to £13.34 per hour as of 2025. Pay increased 10.0% compared to the previous year. Regionally, pay ranges from £20,000 in North East to £24,500 in North West. Pay has risen over the past 4 years. The ONS national median for this occupation is £23,783/yr (1% above our computed national average).
Median Annual Pay
£24,000
as of 2025
Modelled estimateMedian Hourly Pay
£13.34
per hour
Year-on-Year Change
+10.0%
vs 2024
Annual Pay Range
£21,500 – £28,500
25th – 75th percentile
UK Employment (2024)
~101,000
estimated employees
84 of 180 areas not disclosed by ONS
Employment Change
2021–2024
2021: ~126,000 → 2024: ~101,000
Market Signal
Growing marketPay and employment are both rising — competition for workers is increasing.
Employment figures from ONS Annual Population Survey (APS). Counts are estimates; suppressed cells (small samples) are excluded from totals.
Annual pay for Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants across UK regions. The bar shows the typical pay range (25th–75th percentile); the diamond marks the median.
Source: ONS ASHE. Based on broad UK regions (NUTS1).
Annual pay grew by +10.0% from 2024 to 2025.
National average (NUTS1 actuals) based on ONS ASHE April snapshot. Shaded band shows 25th–75th percentile range.
Annual percentage change in median pay for Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants.
Percentage change from the prior year's April figure.
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.