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The differences between optometric assistants and medical assistant instructors 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 medical assistant instructor. Additionally, an optometric assistant has an average salary of $98,734, which is higher than the $40,698 average annual salary of a medical assistant instructor.
The top three skills for an optometric assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and customer service. The most important skills for a medical assistant instructor are patients, vital signs, and patient care.
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Assistant Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $98,734 | $40,698 |
| Hourly rate | $47.47 | $19.57 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 142,550 | 180,025 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| 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.
An assistant medical instructor is responsible for supporting medical instructors in teaching medical students for programs and processes, depending on their area of expertise. Assistant medical instructors handle the preparation of learning materials and other related resources according to the class level and curriculum. They also serve as a liaison between the instructor and the students to respond with inquiries and concerns, resolve learning difficulties, and document examinations. An assistant medical instructor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in maintaining organized student records and updating the grading system as needed.
Optometric assistants and medical assistant instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Assistant Instructor | |
| Average salary | $98,734 | $40,698 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $147,000 | Between $27,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Framingham, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | QPS | Erlanger Health System |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between an optometric assistant and a medical assistant instructor in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Assistant Instructor | |
| 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 medical assistant instructors' demographics:
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Assistant Instructor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4% | Male, 18.6% Female, 81.4% |
| 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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.2% Asian, 9.8% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |