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The differences between optical technicians 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 $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 licensed optician are patients, customer satisfaction, and eye care.
| Optical Technician | Licensed Optician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,908 | $45,625 |
| Hourly rate | $17.74 | $21.94 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 29,866 | 14,216 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Optical lab technicians, also known as ophthalmic laboratory technicians, create prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They work together with optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. They received orders from optometrists and opticians to create prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses as per requirement. They also do the cutting, polishing, and grinding lenses as per prescription for products like microscopes, binoculars, or telescopes. They do their work by a computer program and automated tools to make the prescribed lenses before it is sent off to the customer.
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 technicians and licensed opticians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Technician | Licensed Optician | |
| Average salary | $36,908 | $45,625 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $54,000 | Between $32,000 And $63,000 |
| 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 licensed optician in terms of educational background:
| Optical Technician | Licensed Optician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | 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 technicians' and licensed opticians' demographics:
| Optical Technician | Licensed Optician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% | Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8% |
| 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, 5.5% 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% |