CDCareer Decision

Opticians, Dispensing Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Opticians, Dispensing in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $46,080, with 240 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $38,570 at the 10th percentile to $56,740 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$46,080

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$22.16

Employment

240

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$38,570
10th
$39,140
25th
$46,080
Median
$49,500
75th
$56,740
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$46,080

Median annual · 2025

United States

$47,260

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 2.5% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $1,180).

Top skills

  1. 1.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 3.9
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.5
  5. 5.Service OrientationImportance 3.5
  6. 6.WritingImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.3
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.3
  9. 9.PersuasionImportance 3.3
  10. 10.Active LearningImportance 3.0
  11. 11.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
None
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Compulink Eyecare Advantage
  • Cygnet Infotech Optifocus
  • Database software
  • Diversified Ophthalmics Practice Maximus
  • EMRlogic Systems ENTERPRISE Visions
  • EZ-Zone Optizone Enterprise
  • First Insight MaximEyes
  • HealthLine Systems Eyecom
  • Insight Software My Vision Express
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Inventory management systems
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Word
  • OfficeMate Software Solutions OfficeMate

Common tasks

  • Supervise the training of student opticians.
  • Order and purchase frames and lenses.
  • Grind lens edges, or apply coatings to lenses.
  • Repair damaged frames.
  • Arrange and maintain displays of optical merchandise.
  • Instruct clients in how to wear and care for eyeglasses.
  • Measure clients' bridge and eye size, temple length, vertex distance, pupillary distance, and optical centers of eyes, using measuring devices.
  • Verify that finished lenses are ground to specifications.
  • Evaluate prescriptions in conjunction with clients' vocational and avocational visual requirements.
  • Recommend specific lenses, lens coatings, and frames to suit client needs.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Opticians, Dispensing salary in other locations

Other occupations in Des Moines, IA