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The differences between optical technicians and optician apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optician apprentice has an average salary of $37,698, 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 optician apprentice are POS, customer service, and patients.
| Optical Technician | Optician Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $36,908 | $37,698 |
| Hourly rate | $17.74 | $18.12 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 29,866 | 10,174 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| 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 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 technicians and optician apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optical Technician | Optician Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $36,908 | $37,698 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $54,000 | Between $29,000 And $48,000 |
| 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 optician apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Optical Technician | Optician Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| 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 optician apprentices' demographics:
| Optical Technician | Optician Apprentice | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% | Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1% |
| 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, 19.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |