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The differences between optical managers and licensed opticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a licensed optician has an average salary of $45,625, which is higher than the $39,584 average annual salary of an optical manager.
The top three skills for an optical manager include patients, payroll and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for a licensed optician are patients, customer satisfaction, and eye care.
| Optical Manager | Licensed Optician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,584 | $45,625 |
| Hourly rate | $19.03 | $21.94 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 6,274 | 14,216 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An Optical Manager oversees the daily operations taking place in an optometrist's office. In general, Optical Managers oversee various eye care and administrative tasks. Optical Managers process insurance and billing, hire and train staff, manage inventory and submit contact lenses and eyeglasses work orders. These professionals maintain client records and adjust eyeglasses. Moreover, Optical Managers frame-style with patients, work diligently with other eye care departments and interact positively with doctors, managers, and patients at all times.
A licensed optician is responsible for attending to clients with eye care needs and recommends eyewear selection according to the optometrist's advice. Licensed opticians order the frames and lenses and ensure that the measurement would fit according to the instructions. They also assist the clients in changing or adjusting frames and remind them of the appropriate methods to keep their eyewear safe. A licensed optician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in keeping an organized record of the clients' appointments and processing insurance billings.
Optical managers and licensed opticians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Manager | Licensed Optician | |
| Average salary | $39,584 | $45,625 |
| Salary range | Between $11,000 And $131,000 | Between $32,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an optical manager and a licensed optician in terms of educational background:
| Optical Manager | Licensed Optician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Here are the differences between optical managers' and licensed opticians' demographics:
| Optical Manager | Licensed Optician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6% | Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 9.2% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |