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The differences between optometric assistants and medical laboratory 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 medical laboratory assistant. Additionally, an optometric assistant has an average salary of $98,734, which is higher than the $34,673 average annual salary of a medical laboratory assistant.
The top three skills for an optometric assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and customer service. The most important skills for a medical laboratory assistant are patients, customer service, and data entry.
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $98,734 | $34,673 |
| Hourly rate | $47.47 | $16.67 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 142,550 | 124,322 |
| 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.
A medical laboratory assistant is in charge of performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a more experienced medical technician or scientist. Their responsibilities typically revolve around collecting samples such as blood and tissues, preparing slides, running tests using machines and equipment, and maintaining records of all procedures and results. Furthermore, a medical laboratory assistant must also keep the cleanliness of the laboratory, organize and monitor inventories, procure supplies, and implement the laboratory's policies and regulations.
Optometric assistants and medical laboratory assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average salary | $98,734 | $34,673 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $147,000 | Between $27,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Eugene, OR |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | QPS | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an optometric assistant and a medical laboratory assistant in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Laboratory 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 medical laboratory assistants' demographics:
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Laboratory Assistant | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4% | Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 9.1% White, 51.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |