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Optical assistant vs dispensing optician apprentice

The differences between optical assistants and dispensing optician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dispensing optician apprentice has an average salary of $48,535, which is higher than the $39,251 average annual salary of an optical assistant.

The top three skills for an optical assistant include patients, HIPAA and computer system. The most important skills for a dispensing optician apprentice are customer service, , and .

Optical assistant vs dispensing optician apprentice overview

Optical AssistantDispensing Optician Apprentice
Yearly salary$39,251$48,535
Hourly rate$18.87$23.33
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs2,9789,965
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%High School Diploma, 23%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

Optical assistant vs dispensing optician apprentice salary

Optical assistants and dispensing optician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Optical AssistantDispensing Optician Apprentice
Average salary$39,251$48,535
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $57,000Between $24,000 And $97,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between optical assistant and dispensing optician apprentice education

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

Optical AssistantDispensing Optician Apprentice
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%High School Diploma, 23%
Most common majorBusinessElectrical Engineering
Most common collegeEmory UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Optical assistant vs dispensing optician apprentice demographics

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

Optical AssistantDispensing Optician Apprentice
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 13.0% Female, 87.0%Male, 57.9% Female, 42.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 3.4% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between optical assistant and dispensing optician apprentice duties and responsibilities

Optical assistant example responsibilities.

  • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
  • Book appointments when the Dr's office is closed.
  • Take measurements before turning frames and Rx over to the lab to have glasses make.
  • Acquire, comply with and obtain a thorough knowledge and understanding of HIPPA and OSHA practices.
  • Verify and confirm Rx's from the lab, work with computers and fax machines daily.
  • Order new frames from leading suppliers, reconcile statements from vendors and process VSP and eyem claims.
  • Show more

Dispensing optician apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Follow HIPPA policies for disclosing patient information.
  • Work with multiple optometrists to solve patient issues including inaccurate optical measurements, lens adaptations, and overall patient satisfaction.
  • File insurance for orders including medicare and medicaid.

Optical assistant vs dispensing optician apprentice skills

Common optical assistant skills
  • Patients, 15%
  • HIPAA, 15%
  • Computer System, 14%
  • Data Entry, 13%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 12%
  • Telephone Inquiries, 11%
Common dispensing optician apprentice skills
  • Customer Service, 100%

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