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The differences between optometric assistants and lead medical assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an optometric assistant and a lead medical assistant. Additionally, an optometric assistant has an average salary of $98,734, which is higher than the $38,303 average annual salary of a lead medical assistant.
The top three skills for an optometric assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and customer service. The most important skills for a lead medical assistant are patients, vital signs, and patient care.
| Optometric Assistant | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $98,734 | $38,303 |
| Hourly rate | $47.47 | $18.41 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 142,550 | 163,228 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 27% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
An optometric assistant performs a variety of support tasks to assist optometrists and maintain a smooth flow of operations at clinics. They typically greet clients and identify their eye and vision care needs, answer inquiries, gather patient histories and other information, prepare and assist the clients for vision tests, and administer eye drops. They may also perform clerical tasks such as processing documents, organizing files, handling calls and correspondence, liaising with external partners such as suppliers and vendors, and updating databases. Moreover, an optometric assistant may also adjust and repair glasses, all according to the clients' needs.
A lead medical assistant performs administrative support tasks for clinical teams to provide optimal care and services to patients. They work under the supervision of a clinical manager whom they report to regularly. Among their responsibilities include establishing staff schedules and guidelines, conducting research and analysis, coordinating staff, reviewing medical charts and reports, organizing documents, and training new members of the workforce. Moreover, they may also assist patients by answering inquiries, performing follow-up calls to confirm appointment schedules, and preparing patients by giving them the information they need.
Optometric assistants and lead medical assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Assistant | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Average salary | $98,734 | $38,303 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $147,000 | Between $23,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | QPS | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between an optometric assistant and a lead medical assistant in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Assistant | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 27% |
| Most common major | Business | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between optometric assistants' and lead medical assistants' demographics:
| Optometric Assistant | Lead Medical Assistant | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4% | Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.0% Asian, 9.8% White, 53.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 26.6% Asian, 8.7% White, 49.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |