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The differences between ophthalmic assistants and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an ophthalmic assistant and a technician. Additionally, an ophthalmic assistant has an average salary of $43,217, which is higher than the $38,045 average annual salary of a technician.
The top three skills for an ophthalmic assistant include patients, patient care and ophthalmology. The most important skills for a technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Ophthalmic Assistant | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $43,217 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $20.78 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 21,559 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An ophthalmic assistant works with an ophthalmologist and assists with recording patient information, updating patient records, and obtaining medical records. You may also be required to book and follow up on patient appointments. Ophthalmic assistants counsel patients about treatment and care and may be required to take ocular measurements of patients or administer medication. Ophthalmic assistants do a lot of customer service work giving patients information regarding eye care and explaining to patients procedures and medications.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Ophthalmic assistants and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Ophthalmic Assistant | Technician | |
| Average salary | $43,217 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $62,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Eye Consultants of Atlanta | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an ophthalmic assistant and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Ophthalmic Assistant | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Medical Assisting Services | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between ophthalmic assistants' and technicians' demographics:
| Ophthalmic Assistant | Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.1% Female, 86.9% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 2% |