Average Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary in County Durham UA
ONS ASHE 2025 · North East region · Updated October 2025
How County Durham UA compares
Based on 2025 data, pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss in the North East earned £17,573 at the median — 2.3% below the national benchmark of £17,993. In practical terms, living costs in the North East run 9.9% below average. That means £17,573 stretches to roughly £19,504 in real spending power. To put this alongside local pay more broadly: the average across all jobs in County Durham UA is £29,393, so pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss sit 40.2% less that benchmark.
Cost of Living Adjustment
After adjusting for the regional cost of living (North East index: 90.1, UK=100), a salary of £17,573 has an effective purchasing power of approximately £19,504 — equivalent to earning that amount in an area with average UK costs. The cost of living in the North East is 9.9% below the UK average.
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary across UK regions
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in areas near County Durham UA
Salary data is by ONS region. County Durham UA is in the North East 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 County Durham UA?
The median pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in the North East (which includes County Durham UA) is £17,573 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 County Durham UA compare to the UK average?
Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the North East earn 2.3% 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 County Durham UA compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in County Durham UA is £29,393. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the North East earn £17,573, which is 40.2% below the local average across all occupations.
About this data
Salary figures for pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss cover the North East region. The all-jobs average is specific to County Durham UA. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.