Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Ames, IA
BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA
Median annual salary
$39,420
-15.3% vs national
Median hourly
$18.95
10th percentile
$33,540
90th percentile
$48,740
Employed locally
40
National median
$46,560
Compare Opticians, Dispensing salary & buying power
Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.
Opticians, Dispensing
in
Ames, IA
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Salary percentile breakdown
Ames economic context
Unemployment rate
2.40%
2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
Median household income
$71,090
2023 • Census ACS
Opticians, Dispensing salary vs area income
55%
Median Opticians, Dispensing salary is 45% below the area median household income
Frequently asked questions
How much do Opticians, Dispensing make per hour in Ames?
The median hourly wage for Opticians, Dispensing in Ames, IA is $18.95, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $24.36 or more per hour.
Is Ames above or below average for Opticians, Dispensing salaries?
The median Opticians, Dispensing salary in Ames, IA is 15.3% below the national median of $46,560. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.
What is the entry-level salary for Opticians, Dispensing in Ames?
Entry-level Opticians, Dispensing (10th percentile) earn around $33,540 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,400.