Average Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary in Sandwell
ONS ASHE 2025 · West Midlands region · Updated October 2025
How Sandwell 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. The all-jobs average in Sandwell is £28,766. By comparison, pharmacy and optical dispensing assistantss earn 43.2% less than the typical worker locally.
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 Sandwell
Salary data is by ONS region. Sandwell 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 Sandwell?
The median pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salary in the West Midlands (which includes Sandwell) 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 Sandwell 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 Sandwell compared to other roles?
The average salary across all jobs in Sandwell is £28,766. Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants in the West Midlands earn £16,341, which is 43.2% 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 Sandwell. Source: ONS ASHE 2025. Methodology.