Average Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary in Preston
ONS ASHE 2025 · North West region · Updated October 2025
How Preston compares
The going rate for pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss in the North West? £15,730 at the median in 2025. That compares to £17,993 nationally — a gap of 12.6% below. 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 Preston average across all roles (£32,655), pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss take home 51.8% 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 Preston
Salary data is by ONS region. Preston 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 Preston?
The median pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in the North West (which includes Preston) 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 Preston 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 Preston compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Preston is £32,655. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the North West earn £15,730, which is 51.8% 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 Preston. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.