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The differences between optical technicians and dispensing opticians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a dispensing optician has an average salary of $45,679, which is higher than the $36,908 average annual salary of an optical technician.
The top three skills for an optical technician include patients, chrome and dexterity. The most important skills for a dispensing optician are patients, patient care, and customer service.
| Optical Technician | Dispensing Optician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,908 | $45,679 |
| Hourly rate | $17.74 | $21.96 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 29,866 | 4,434 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Optical technicians and dispensing opticians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Technician | Dispensing Optician | |
| Average salary | $36,908 | $45,679 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $54,000 | Between $33,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hayward, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | AMETEK | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an optical technician and a dispensing optician in terms of educational background:
| Optical Technician | Dispensing Optician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Here are the differences between optical technicians' and dispensing opticians' demographics:
| Optical Technician | Dispensing Optician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |