Average Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary in Birmingham
ONS ASHE 2025 · West Midlands region · Updated October 2025
How Birmingham compares
For pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss based in the West Midlands, 2025 brought a median salary of £16,341. To put this in perspective, the UK average is £17,993 — making this 9.2% below the norm. The cost of living in the West Midlands is 8.5% below the UK average, so a salary of £16,341 has an effective purchasing power closer to £17,859. Compared to the Birmingham average across all roles (£33,374), pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss take home 51.0% less.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (West Midlands index: 91.5, UK=100), a salary of £16,341 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £17,859 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the West Midlands is 8.5% below the UK average.
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary across UK regions
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in areas near Birmingham
Salary data is by ONS region. Birmingham is in the West Midlands region. Below are neighbouring regions — click to explore salaries there.
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary Guide
The full salary guide includes regional breakdowns, cost-of-living adjustments, year-on-year trends, and in-depth FAQs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in Birmingham?
The median pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in the West Midlands (which includes Birmingham) is £16,341 per year, based on ONS ASHE 2025 data. The mean salary is typically higher due to top earners pulling the average up.
How does pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants pay in Birmingham compare to the UK average?
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the West Midlands earn 9.2% below the national median of £17,993. Other regions such as London and the South East typically offer higher salaries for this role.
Is pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants a well-paid job in Birmingham compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Birmingham is £33,374. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the West Midlands earn £16,341, which is 51.0% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss cover the West Midlands region. The all-jobs average is specific to Birmingham. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.