Laboratory technicians vs Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants Salary

How do Laboratory technicians and Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants salaries compare in the UK? Here is a detailed side-by-side breakdown using the latest ONS data.

Laboratory technicians earns £8,479 more per year (45% higher)

Laboratory technicians

£27,248
per year (gross)
Take-home: £23,138
vs

Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants

£18,769
per year (gross)
Take-home: £17,033

Detailed Comparison

MetricLaboratory techniciansPharmacy and optical dispensing assistantsDifference
Median Annual£27,248£18,769+£8,479
Mean Annual£29,696£18,320+£11,376
Take-Home (Net)£23,138£17,033+£6,105
Monthly (Gross)£2,271£1,564+£707
Weekly (Gross)£524£361+£163
Hourly£13.10£9.02+£4.08

Salary Range Comparison

PercentileLaboratory techniciansPharmacy and optical dispensing assistants
10th (Entry)£16,771£5,938
25th£24,452£12,440
50th (Median)£27,248£18,769
75th£33,672£24,775
90th (Senior)£0£27,645

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more, a Laboratory technicians or a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
A Laboratory technicians earns more. The median salary for a Laboratory technicians is £27,248, whilst a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants earns £18,769 — a difference of £8,479 per year.
What is the salary difference between a Laboratory technicians and a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
The difference is £8,479 per year. Laboratory technicians is the higher-paid role.
What is the take-home pay difference?
After tax and National Insurance, a Laboratory technicians takes home approximately £23,138 per year, whilst a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants takes home £17,033. The net difference is £6,105.
Should I become a Laboratory technicians or a Pharmacy and optical dispensing assistants?
From a salary perspective, Laboratory technicians offers higher median pay. However, career choice depends on many factors including interests, qualifications, work-life balance and long-term prospects.

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