Average Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary in Bolton
ONS ASHE 2025 · North West region · Updated October 2025
How Bolton compares
For pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss based in the North West, 2025 brought a median salary of £15,730. To put this in perspective, the UK average is £17,993 — making this 12.6% below the norm. In practical terms, living costs in the North West run 8.8% below average. That means £15,730 stretches to roughly £17,248 in real spending power. Compared to the Bolton average across all roles (£27,696), pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss take home 43.2% less.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (North West index: 91.2, UK=100), a salary of £15,730 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £17,248 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the North West is 8.8% below the UK average.
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary across UK regions
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in areas near Bolton
Salary data is by ONS region. Bolton is in the North West 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 Bolton?
The median pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in the North West (which includes Bolton) is £15,730 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 Bolton compare to the UK average?
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the North West earn 12.6% 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 Bolton compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Bolton is £27,696. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the North West earn £15,730, which is 43.2% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss cover the North West region. The all-jobs average is specific to Bolton. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.