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The differences between optical assistants and assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optical assistant has an average salary of $39,251, which is higher than the $37,363 average annual salary of an assistant.
The top three skills for an optical assistant include patients, HIPAA and computer system. The most important skills for an assistant are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Optical Assistant | Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $39,251 | $37,363 |
| Hourly rate | $18.87 | $17.96 |
| Growth rate | 4% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 2,978 | 557,900 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 50 |
| Years of experience | - | 2 |
Optical assistants and assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Assistant | Assistant | |
| Average salary | $39,251 | $37,363 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $57,000 | Between $16,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | - | Latham & Watkins |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between an optical assistant and an assistant in terms of educational background:
| Optical Assistant | Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Emory University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between optical assistants' and assistants' demographics:
| Optical Assistant | Assistant | |
| Average age | 44 | 50 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0% | Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 9.1% White, 62.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 6% |