Dispensing optician vs certified medical technician

The differences between dispensing opticians and certified medical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dispensing optician has an average salary of $45,679, which is higher than the $38,859 average annual salary of a certified medical technician.

The top three skills for a dispensing optician include patients, patient care and customer service. The most important skills for a certified medical technician are patients, vital signs, and CPR.

Dispensing optician vs certified medical technician overview

	Dispensing Optician	Certified Medical Technician
Yearly salary	$45,679	$38,859
Hourly rate	$21.96	$18.68
Growth rate	4%	5%
Number of jobs	4,434	164,424
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	-	12

Dispensing optician vs certified medical technician salary

Dispensing opticians and certified medical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Dispensing Optician	Certified Medical Technician
Average salary	$45,679	$38,859
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $28,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City	-	Denton, TX
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Favorite Healthcare Staffing
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between dispensing optician and certified medical technician education

There are a few differences between a dispensing optician and a certified medical technician in terms of educational background:

	Dispensing Optician	Certified Medical Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 28%
Most common major	Business	Nursing
Most common college	University of Minnesota - Twin Cities	University of Connecticut

Dispensing optician vs certified medical technician demographics

Here are the differences between dispensing opticians' and certified medical technicians' demographics:

	Dispensing Optician	Certified Medical Technician
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6%	Male, 20.4% Female, 79.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 15.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 10.0% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	13%	8%

Differences between dispensing optician and certified medical technician duties and responsibilities

Dispensing optician example responsibilities.

Communicate information and provide customer service to patients, families and visitors.
Fax Rx to proper lab.
Scan documents and abide by all HIPAA regulations.
Read and understand the different refractive errors as well as the Rx.
Work with VSP and eye med insurances, and all relate duties.
Order verification, working with insurance companies including VSP, NBN, and DSHS.

Certified medical technician example responsibilities.

Maintain the cleanliness of storage areas, trays, centrifuges, refrigerators, freezers and work area.
Administer medications to patients according to their medication record as scheduled, as needed according to physician orders.
Perform laboratory test and procedures in areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, coagulation, serology, and bacteriology.
Perform first aid and apply CPR when necessary.
Perform first aid or CPR during medical emergencies until paramedics arrive.
Assist the residents in their ADL needs and prepare their meals.

Dispensing optician vs certified medical technician skills

Common dispensing optician skills

Patients, 44%
Patient Care, 15%
Customer Service, 8%
Insurance Eligibility, 3%
Appointment Scheduling, 3%
Eye Exams, 2%

Common certified medical technician skills

Patients, 17%
Vital Signs, 12%
CPR, 8%
Administer Medications, 7%
Resident Care, 6%
HIPAA, 6%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Dispensing Optician
Dispensing Optician vs Certified Medical Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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