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The differences between opticians and optical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optician has an average salary of $38,412, which is higher than the $36,908 average annual salary of an optical technician.
The top three skills for an optician include patients, customer service and basic math. The most important skills for an optical technician are patients, chrome, and dexterity.
| Optician | Optical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,412 | $36,908 |
| Hourly rate | $18.47 | $17.74 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 4,717 | 29,866 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An optician is a medical expert specializing in people's various visual conditions. Opticians analyze eye examinations and the grade of patients' vision from the optometrist or ophthalmologists' prescriptions and design appropriate lenses to improve their sight. One of the most crucial responsibilities of an optician is to ensure that the patient is comfortable with the customized lenses. Otherwise, the optician must perform adjustments as needed. Opticians also recommend styles to the patient and provide instructions on how to properly clean and maintain the eyewear.
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.
Opticians and optical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optician | Optical Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,412 | $36,908 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $50,000 | Between $25,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Horizon Laser Vision | AMETEK |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between an optician and an optical technician in terms of educational background:
| Optician | Optical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 31% | 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 opticians' and optical technicians' demographics:
| Optician | Optical Technician | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.2% Female, 77.8% | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |