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The differences between med technicians and optometric technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a med technician has an average salary of $44,523, which is higher than the $30,928 average annual salary of an optometric technician.
The top three skills for a med technician include patients, med-tech and cleanliness. The most important skills for an optometric technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Med Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $44,523 | $30,928 |
| Hourly rate | $21.41 | $14.87 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 141,154 | 33,412 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
Typically working in hospitals or private clinics, a med technician specializes in collecting blood or bodily fluids and analyzing them through laboratory tests. The results of these tests will be a vital factor in diagnosing a patient's condition and what treatment a physician should give. Moreover, a med technician is also responsible for producing accurate reports, reviewing data, coordinating with physicians and other health care workers, maintaining a clean and sanitized work environment, and adhering to the company's safety policies and standards.
An optometric technician is responsible for performing administrative and clerical tasks to assist patients with their vision problems and needs. Optometric technicians work in the laboratory, constructing glasses and lenses according to the ophthalmologist's advice. They clean and inspect vision equipment and ensure that the facility is well-maintained. An optometric technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, manage information on the database, and release customers' orders.
Med technicians and optometric technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Med Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Average salary | $44,523 | $30,928 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $63,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Children's Hospital of Michigan | - |
| Best paying industry | Government | - |
There are a few differences between a med technician and an optometric technician in terms of educational background:
| Med Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Biology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between med technicians' and optometric technicians' demographics:
| Med Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.2% Female, 84.8% | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 10.1% White, 60.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 6% |