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The differences between optical laboratory technicians and technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an optical laboratory technician and a technician. Additionally, a technician has an average salary of $38,045, 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 technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,926 | $38,045 |
| Hourly rate | $15.83 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 40,155 | 596,842 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
Optical laboratory technicians and technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,926 | $38,045 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $42,000 | Between $24,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | - | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an optical laboratory technician and a technician in terms of educational background:
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between optical laboratory technicians' and technicians' demographics:
| Optical Laboratory Technician | Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 54.9% Female, 45.1% | Male, 75.2% Female, 24.8% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.9% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 2% |