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The differences between optometric assistants and medical research 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 research assistant. Additionally, an optometric assistant has an average salary of $98,734, which is higher than the $40,303 average annual salary of a medical research assistant.
The top three skills for an optometric assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and customer service. The most important skills for a medical research assistant are patients, patient care, and DR.
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Research Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $98,734 | $40,303 |
| Hourly rate | $47.47 | $19.38 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 142,550 | 125,533 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| 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 research assistant is primarily in charge of performing support tasks in a laboratory or similar environment. Their responsibilities include gathering and organizing samples, preparing the laboratories and other facilities, compiling and managing data, updating databases, and conducting examinations and analysis, all while adhering to the laboratory's policies and regulations. They may also liaise with clients, answering inquiries as necessary. Furthermore, it is vital to maintain an active line with researchers, coordinating with them every step of the way to ensure an efficient workflow.
Optometric assistants and medical research assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Research Assistant | |
| Average salary | $98,734 | $40,303 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $147,000 | Between $25,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Worcester, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | QPS | Norton Rose Fulbright |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Education |
There are a few differences between an optometric assistant and a medical research assistant in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Research Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | Business | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between optometric assistants' and medical research assistants' demographics:
| Optometric Assistant | Medical Research Assistant | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4% | Male, 19.0% Female, 81.0% |
| 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 9.7% White, 50.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |