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Dispensing optician vs optician apprentice

The differences between dispensing opticians and optician apprentices 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 $37,698 average annual salary of an optician apprentice.

The top three skills for a dispensing optician include patients, patient care and customer service. The most important skills for an optician apprentice are POS, customer service, and patients.

Dispensing optician vs optician apprentice overview

Dispensing OpticianOptician Apprentice
Yearly salary$45,679$37,698
Hourly rate$21.96$18.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs4,43410,174
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Dispensing optician vs optician apprentice salary

Dispensing opticians and optician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dispensing OpticianOptician Apprentice
Average salary$45,679$37,698
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $62,000Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between dispensing optician and optician apprentice education

There are a few differences between a dispensing optician and an optician apprentice in terms of educational background:

Dispensing OpticianOptician Apprentice
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Minnesota - Twin CitiesUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Dispensing optician vs optician apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between dispensing opticians' and optician apprentices' demographics:

Dispensing OpticianOptician Apprentice
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 33.4% Female, 66.6%Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between dispensing optician and optician apprentice 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.
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Optician apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
  • File patient medical records; bill insurance; contact insurance companies regarding patient insurance benefits, comply with all HIPAA policies.
  • Assist customers in picking out a frame that goes well with their life style, RX and price needs.
  • Process MTR's and RX reminders and stock merchandise.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and HIPAA.
  • Create referral business by designing specialty lenses to patients' specifications.
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Dispensing optician vs optician apprentice skills

Common dispensing optician skills
  • Patients, 44%
  • Patient Care, 15%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Insurance Eligibility, 3%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 3%
  • Eye Exams, 2%
Common optician apprentice skills
  • POS, 37%
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%
  • HIPAA, 3%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 3%

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