New Zealand Optician Salaries

Salaries are annual unless otherwise stated.

Salary and wage information for New Zealand professions is compiled regularly by analysis of New Zealand jobs advertised in major publications.

Job titles in this occupation vary and some examples are dispensing optician, optician and registered dispensing optician.

New Zealand has a shortage of opticians and as a result employment prospects are good.

Dispensing Opticians are registered with the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board and must maintain an Annual Practising Certificate.

As at 31 March 2019, there are currently 228 dispensing opticians registered in New Zealand holding current practising certificates.

Trainee opticians start with a salary of around $38,000 – $44,000. After several years’ experience earnings typically range between $47,000 and $79,000.

For comparison, the average hourly wage in New Zealand for the quarter ending 31 March 2020 was $33.20 according to Statistics New Zealand. This would give an annual average salary of around $65,600, working standard full-time hours (38 hours).

Optician Salaries / Wages in 2020

PositionSalary / Wage $Location
Optical Assistant / Dispensing Optician20 – 26 per hourRodney and North Shore, Auckland
Optical Consultant / Administrator38,000 – 45,000Auckland
Dispensing Optician / Optical Assistant38,000 – 50,000Hamilton
Optical Assistant19 – 25 per hourNapier
Junior Dispensing Optician38,000 – 43,000Wellington
Experienced Dispensing Optician45,000 – 65,000Wellington
Optician42,000 – 62,000Christchurch

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