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The differences between optical laboratory technicians and senior laboratory technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an optical laboratory technician, becoming a senior laboratory technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a senior laboratory technician has an average salary of $48,530, which is higher than the $32,926 average annual salary of an optical laboratory technician.
The top three skills for an optical laboratory technician include equipment maintenance, prescription glasses and dexterity. The most important skills for a senior laboratory technician are lab equipment, patients, and research projects.
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,926 | $48,530 |
| Hourly rate | $15.83 | $23.33 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 40,155 | 63,876 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An optical laboratory technician is responsible for filling patients' eyeglass lenses and contact lenses prescriptions as forwarded by an optician. Optical laboratory technicians work with opticians, optometrists, or in an optical equipment laboratory and are also referred to as ophthalmic laboratory technicians. You require technical expertise to use lens grinders and lensometers for the right curvature and prescription for patients. Optical laboratory technicians ensure that lenses are crafted correctly and logging records about each order filled.
A Senior Laboratory Technician is responsible for supervising and coordinating scientific investigations and experiments. They supervise staff, provide technical support, and construct, maintain, and operate standard laboratory equipment.
Optical laboratory technicians and senior laboratory technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,926 | $48,530 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $42,000 | Between $34,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Genentech |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an optical laboratory technician and a senior laboratory technician in terms of educational background:
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Biology |
| Most common college | - | New York University |
Here are the differences between optical laboratory technicians' and senior laboratory technicians' demographics:
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Senior Laboratory Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1% | Male, 58.6% Female, 41.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 9.3% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 12.0% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 8% |