ABDO publishes survey data on dispensing optician salaries

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has published data on the average pay of dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians following a survey of 1403 ABDO members.

ABDO chief executive, Alistair Bridge, described the Pay and Reward Survey as “the clearest picture yet of the challenges and opportunities around pay and recognition in our profession.”

The survey found that dispensing optician salaries mainly fell in a range between £28,000 and £34,000.

The average salary for a fulltime dispensing optician was £33,056, while fulltime dispensing opticians without additional responsibilities had an average annual salary of £30,247.

Contact lens opticians were paid more than dispensing opticians, with an annual average salary of £36,952.

The survey data shows that fulltime dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians based in London had the highest annual salaries on average, at £36,178, followed by the South East (£35,200), and East of England (£35,067).

Average annual salaries for full-time dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians were lowest in Northern Ireland (£28,833), Wales (£31,402) and the West Midlands (£31,950).

The data illustrated a gender pay gap between respondents, with male survey respondents in fulltime roles paid an average of £35,352, compared to an annual average salary of £32,690 among female survey respondents.

Among the 1403 ABDO members who provided survey responses, more than half (56%) had worked in the profession for over two decades.

While 38% of respondents did not have additional responsibilities, 28% were practice managers and 23% had responsibility for training or supervising trainee dispensing opticians.

Close to seven in ten respondents (69%) reported that their pay and benefits did not reflect their responsibilities.

Bridge highlighted that ABDO would use the survey data to develop new tools, support and guidance to help members advance their careers and strengthen their recognition.

“Our members bring exceptional skill, commitment and care to patients every day and it’s vital that this is reflected in how they are valued and rewarded,” he said.

In recent years a number of dispensing opticians have had to seek secondary means of income or make a tough decision to leave the profession altogether

Dispensing opticians respond

Dispensing optician and Bradford College lecturer, Maryna Hura, described the picture provided by the ABDO survey – which achieved a 27% response rate – as “mixed.”

“The average DO full‑time salary of £33,056, rising with added responsibilities, suggests progression is possible, yet 69% still feel pay and benefits do not reflect their role,” she said.

Hura highlighted that the survey data also illustrates pay disparities that exist within the profession.

“I am disappointed to see that the gender pay gap still exists, with male DOs earning on average £2662 more, compared to female DOs. In addition to this, regional variations –London highest, Northern Ireland lowest – highlight the need for location‑sensitive benchmarking during negotiations,” she said.

She urged employers to establish transparent pay frameworks, sponsor further qualifications and formalise measures to retain talent.

“While some employers fund professional membership fees and offer fair salary packages, in recent years a number of dispensing opticians have had to seek secondary means of income or make a tough decision to leave the profession altogether,” she said.

Dispensing optician, Owen Miles, told OT that wage stagnation influenced his decision to retrain.

“I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in orthoptics at UCL. It is disheartening to leave a profession I have loved for ten years, particularly when peers in other industries earn substantially more despite having no comparable professional qualifications, registration fees, or level of responsibility,” he said.

Miles was unsurprised that 69% of respondents believe their pay and benefits do not adequately reflect their role.

“This issue has been widely recognised for some time. As registered professionals dispensing opticians should be paid at a level that provides a reasonable standard of living,” he said.

“Unlike optometrists, dispensing opticians do not receive CPD grants, further increasing the financial burden associated with maintaining professional registration,” Miles highlighted.

William Stockdale, who is a dispensing optician and founder of Northern Ireland domiciliary eye care provider, Optomise, congratulated ABDO on conducting the survey.

“There are a few areas that stand out, although the findings need to be viewed in a broader employment and social context,” he said.

“The regional salary variation appears relatively large but is in line with national variation in graduate-level pay across the country. Thankfully, the variation is offset by cost-of-living variations and most importantly housing costs,” Stockdale highlighted.

Stockdale highlighted that professional recognition and career progression has always been a problem within dispensing optics.

“The work being undertaken by ABDO to address this is very encouraging, but I would also urge every individual DO and CLO to play their part,” he said.

“Consider the additional courses and qualifications available. Be the absolute expert in your practice: champion paediatric dispensing and myopia management, take on management responsibilities, train others, and develop the practice. Make yourself indispensable and don’t be afraid to go for the opportunities that do exist,” Stockdale emphasised.