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The differences between ophthalmologists and optometry assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an ophthalmologist, becoming an optometry assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an ophthalmologist has an average salary of $234,030, which is higher than the $32,354 average annual salary of an optometry assistant.
The top three skills for an ophthalmologist include patients, ophthalmology and surgery. The most important skills for an optometry assistant are patients, field testing, and appointment scheduling.
Ophthalmologists and optometry assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Ophthalmologist | Optometry Assistant | |
| Average salary | $234,030 | $32,354 |
| Salary range | Between $129,000 And $423,000 | Between $24,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between an ophthalmologist and an optometry assistant in terms of educational background:
| Ophthalmologist | Optometry Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 30% |
| Most common major | Medicine | Business |
| Most common college | University of Virginia | - |
Here are the differences between ophthalmologists' and optometry assistants' demographics:
| Ophthalmologist | Optometry Assistant | |
| Average age | 48 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3% | Male, 13.6% Female, 86.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 25.1% Asian, 9.1% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 6% |