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The differences between optical instrument specialists and optical scientists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an optical instrument specialist and an optical scientist. Additionally, an optical scientist has an average salary of $83,856, which is higher than the $64,049 average annual salary of an optical instrument specialist.
The top three skills for an optical instrument specialist include fiber optic, customer service and schedule appointments. The most important skills for an optical scientist are system design, zemax, and optical design.
| Optical Instrument Specialist | Optical Scientist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,049 | $83,856 |
| Hourly rate | $30.79 | $40.32 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 22,415 | 43,029 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Optical instrument specialists and optical scientists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Instrument Specialist | Optical Scientist | |
| Average salary | $64,049 | $83,856 |
| Salary range | Between $40,000 And $102,000 | Between $52,000 And $132,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Meta |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an optical instrument specialist and an optical scientist in terms of educational background:
| Optical Instrument Specialist | Optical Scientist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Business | Physics |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between optical instrument specialists' and optical scientists' demographics:
| Optical Instrument Specialist | Optical Scientist | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.0% Female, 34.0% | Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 77.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 1.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.4% Asian, 12.8% White, 73.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 24% | 24% |