Iowa Median
$44,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $47,260
State Rank
#32 of 51
920 employed here
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Iowa?
An Optician, Dispensing working in Iowa earns a median salary of $44,480 per year, or about $21.38 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $47,260 for this occupation.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $37,270 while the top 10% make $53,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,570 and $46,570 a year.
Optician, Dispensing salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,270 | $17.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,480 | $21.38 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,570 | $22.39 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Optician, Dispensing pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Optician, Dispensing salary in other states
Connecticut $75,300Hawaii $75,300New Jersey $72,460Massachusetts $67,210New York $63,880District of Columbia $61,310Florida $58,850Alaska $58,250California $57,990Vermont $57,350Virginia $55,820New Hampshire $51,980Ohio $50,500North Carolina $50,190Tennessee $49,840Washington $49,220Oregon $49,210Maryland $48,700Arizona $48,210Minnesota $48,020Georgia $48,010South Carolina $48,000Rhode Island $47,400Colorado $47,310Maine $47,220Montana $47,050Nevada $46,910Delaware $46,220Pennsylvania $45,450North Dakota $45,230Wisconsin $44,820Kentucky $44,290Illinois $43,960Idaho $43,950South Dakota $43,400Arkansas $42,880Utah $41,780Michigan $41,180Kansas $40,140Nebraska $39,830Indiana $39,370Wyoming $39,100New Mexico $39,090Missouri $38,750Texas $38,720West Virginia $38,120Oklahoma $37,940Alabama $36,880Mississippi $36,680Louisiana $36,360
Working as an Optician, Dispensing in Iowa
Nationally, about 74,000 people work as Opticians, Dispensing in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($44,480) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Optician, Dispensing make in Iowa?
The median Optician, Dispensing salary in Iowa is $44,480 per year, or about $21.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,270 at the entry level to $53,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Opticians, Dispensing about 6% less than the national median of $47,260. Iowa ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Opticians, Dispensing?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,480 a year. About 920 Opticians, Dispensing are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Optician, Dispensing salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.