Salary · Metro area · SOC 29-2081

Optician salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, per year and per hour

BLS data for May 2025 for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metropolitan statistical area.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, released May 15, 2026. Publisher page

Quick answer

The median pay for opticians, dispensing in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA was $44,930 a year, or $21.60 an hour, in May 2025 (BLS). The middle 80% earned $37,140 to $50,500. About 30 were employed.

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Annual pay: Waterloo vs Iowa vs the US

Optician annual wages, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA, Iowa, and US
MeasureThis metroIowaUS
Median (50th percentile)$44,930$44,480$47,260
Mean (average)$43,930$44,570$51,770
10th percentile$37,140$37,270$35,610
25th percentile$38,030$38,570$38,820
75th percentile$46,550$46,570$61,700
90th percentile$50,500$53,790$76,750
Optician hourly wages, Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
MeasureHourly
Median (50th percentile)$21.60
Mean (average)$21.12
10th percentile$17.86
25th percentile$18.29
75th percentile$22.38
90th percentile$24.28

Employment: 30. 0.402 per 1,000 jobs in the area. Location quotient 0.85.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Publisher page

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Questions

How much does an Optician make per hour in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

The median hourly wage was $21.60 in May 2025, per BLS. The 10th percentile was $17.86 and the 90th was $24.28.

What is the average Optician salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?

BLS reports a mean (average) of $43,930 a year and a median of $44,930 for May 2025. The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by the highest earners.

Do opticians, dispensing in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA earn more than the Iowa median?

The Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA median of $44,930 is 1% higher than the Iowa median of $44,480 (BLS, May 2025).

Where do these numbers come from?

The BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates, SOC 29-2081. Figures BLS did not publish are left out.

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