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The differences between optometric assistants and opticians 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 $38,412 average annual salary of an optician.
The top three skills for an optometric assistant include patients, appointment scheduling and customer service. The most important skills for an optician are patients, customer service, and basic math.
| Optometric Assistant | Optician | |
| Yearly salary | $98,734 | $38,412 |
| Hourly rate | $47.47 | $18.47 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 142,550 | 4,717 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| 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.
An optician is a medical expert specializing in people's various visual conditions. Opticians analyze eye examinations and the grade of patients' vision from the optometrist or ophthalmologists' prescriptions and design appropriate lenses to improve their sight. One of the most crucial responsibilities of an optician is to ensure that the patient is comfortable with the customized lenses. Otherwise, the optician must perform adjustments as needed. Opticians also recommend styles to the patient and provide instructions on how to properly clean and maintain the eyewear.
Optometric assistants and opticians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Assistant | Optician | |
| Average salary | $98,734 | $38,412 |
| Salary range | Between $66,000 And $147,000 | Between $29,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | QPS | Horizon Laser Vision |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an optometric assistant and an optician in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Assistant | Optician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities |
Here are the differences between optometric assistants' and opticians' demographics:
| Optometric Assistant | Optician | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 9.6% Female, 90.4% | Male, 22.2% Female, 77.8% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 9.2% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 13% |