Optics test technician vs optometric technician

The differences between optics test technicians and optometric technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become an optics test technician, becoming an optometric technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an optics test technician has an average salary of $47,494, which is higher than the $30,928 average annual salary of an optometric technician.

The top three skills for an optics test technician include optical test, test equipment and RF. The most important skills for an optometric technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Optics test technician vs optometric technician overview

	Optics Test Technician	Optometric Technician
Yearly salary	$47,494	$30,928
Hourly rate	$22.83	$14.87
Growth rate	-	16%
Number of jobs	35,869	33,412
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age	50	41
Years of experience	12	2

Optics test technician vs optometric technician salary

Optics test technicians and optometric technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Optics Test Technician	Optometric Technician
Average salary	$47,494	$30,928
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $68,000	Between $24,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between optics test technician and optometric technician education

There are a few differences between an optics test technician and an optometric technician in terms of educational background:

	Optics Test Technician	Optometric Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 36%	Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Biology
Most common college	Stanford University	-

Optics test technician vs optometric technician demographics

Here are the differences between optics test technicians' and optometric technicians' demographics:

	Optics Test Technician	Optometric Technician
Average age	50	41
Gender ratio	Male, 71.0% Female, 29.0%	Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 8.0% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%	Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	8%	6%

Differences between optics test technician and optometric technician duties and responsibilities

Optics test technician example responsibilities.

Install and manage windows applications for the user, maintain servers and manage help desk operations.
Assemble bottom end and strip, cleaver, splicing fiber and modify PCB.
Record data, test incoming PCB and modules, rework, upgrade, and configure optic modules.
Maintain records for all testing and calibration in accordance with good manufacturing practices (GMP), and ISO standards.
Test, troubleshoot analog and digital microprocessor circuits to component level, update production to meet current revision requirements.
Test, troubleshoot analog and digital microprocessor circuits to component level, update production to meet current revision requirements.

Optometric technician example responsibilities.

Maintain coating quality using adhesion testing and spectrophotometers, and manage coating hues and reflectance adjustments.
Preform pre-test on patients, using auto refractor, NCT and OCT and fundus photos.
Identify, reference and apply insurance coverage and present financial policies and arrangements accurately to patients.
Perform and interpret OCT and HVF.
Measure eye pressure with Tonopen and tonometer.
Maintain accurate and organize patient records, including EHR.

Optics test technician vs optometric technician skills

Common optics test technician skills

Optical Test, 12%
Test Equipment, 10%
RF, 9%
Calipers, 8%
Test Procedures, 7%
Optical Components, 6%

Common optometric technician skills

Patients, 24%
Customer Service, 10%
Patient Care, 10%
Field Testing, 8%
Excellent Organizational, 7%
Pre-test, 5%

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Optics Test Technician vs Optometric Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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