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The differences between optometric assistants and optical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optometric assistant has an average salary of $98,734, which is higher than the $36,908 average annual salary of an optical technician.
The top three skills for an optometric assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and customer service. The most important skills for an optical technician are patients, chrome, and dexterity.
| Optometric Assistant | Optical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $98,734 | $36,908 |
| Hourly rate | $47.47 | $17.74 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 142,550 | 29,866 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 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.
Optical lab technicians, also known as ophthalmic laboratory technicians, create prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses. They work together with optometrists, opticians, and ophthalmologists. They received orders from optometrists and opticians to create prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses as per requirement. They also do the cutting, polishing, and grinding lenses as per prescription for products like microscopes, binoculars, or telescopes. They do their work by a computer program and automated tools to make the prescribed lenses before it is sent off to the customer.
Optometric assistants and optical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Assistant | Optical Technician | |
| Average salary | $98,734 | $36,908 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $147,000 | Between $25,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | QPS | AMETEK |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between an optometric assistant and an optical technician in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Assistant | Optical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Here are the differences between optometric assistants' and optical technicians' demographics:
| Optometric Assistant | Optical Technician | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4% | Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2% |
| 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, 5.5% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 9.1% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 13% |