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The differences between optical technicians and optical managers 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 $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 an optical manager are patients, payroll, and customer satisfaction.
| Optical Technician | Optical Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $36,908 | $39,584 |
| Hourly rate | $17.74 | $19.03 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 29,866 | 6,274 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| 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.
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.
Optical technicians and optical managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Technician | Optical Manager | |
| Average salary | $36,908 | $39,584 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $54,000 | Between $11,000 And $131,000 |
| 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 an optical manager in terms of educational background:
| Optical Technician | Optical Manager | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| 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 optical managers' demographics:
| Optical Technician | Optical Manager | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% | Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6% |
| 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, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |