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Optical manager vs optician apprentice

The differences between optical managers and optician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optical manager has an average salary of $39,584, which is higher than the $37,698 average annual salary of an optician apprentice.

The top three skills for an optical manager include patients, payroll and customer satisfaction. The most important skills for an optician apprentice are POS, customer service, and patients.

Optical manager vs optician apprentice overview

Optical ManagerOptician Apprentice
Yearly salary$39,584$37,698
Hourly rate$19.03$18.12
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs6,27410,174
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an optical manager do?

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.

What does an optician apprentice do?

An optician apprentice is an assistant to a certified optician whose responsibilities include designing, measuring, and fitting lenses and frames for clients. Optician apprentices assist clients with picking out frames of their choice and within their budgets, measuring customer size for fitting, and ensuring a good face- eyeglass match. You will also assist and educate patients on how to wear and care for contact lenses and prepare work orders for the frame and lens mounting in the lab.

Optical manager vs optician apprentice salary

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

Optical ManagerOptician Apprentice
Average salary$39,584$37,698
Salary rangeBetween $11,000 And $131,000Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between optical manager and optician apprentice education

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

Optical ManagerOptician Apprentice
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 40%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Minnesota - Twin CitiesUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Optical manager vs optician apprentice demographics

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

Optical ManagerOptician Apprentice
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 32.4% Female, 67.6%Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between optical manager and optician apprentice duties and responsibilities

Optical manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage patients vision benefits and do comparative analysis of benefits vs. promotions.
  • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
  • Install data and voice cabling, Cat6 and Cat5e.
  • Maintain a well HIPPA policy environment.
  • Submit billing for both eyem and VSP.
  • Authorize and bill vision insurance online for VSP and eyem.
  • Show more

Optician apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
  • File patient medical records; bill insurance; contact insurance companies regarding patient insurance benefits, comply with all HIPAA policies.
  • Assist customers in picking out a frame that goes well with their life style, RX and price needs.
  • Process MTR's and RX reminders and stock merchandise.
  • Maintain patient confidentiality and HIPAA.
  • Create referral business by designing specialty lenses to patients' specifications.
  • Show more

Optical manager vs optician apprentice skills

Common optical manager skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Payroll, 15%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 14%
  • Customer Complaints, 13%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Patient Care, 4%
Common optician apprentice skills
  • POS, 37%
  • Customer Service, 26%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Product Knowledge, 4%
  • HIPAA, 3%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 3%

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