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The differences between optometric technicians and phlebotomy technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an optometric technician, becoming a phlebotomy technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a phlebotomy technician has an average salary of $34,725, which is higher than the $30,928 average annual salary of an optometric technician.
The top three skills for an optometric technician include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a phlebotomy technician are patients, infection control, and blood specimens.
| Optometric Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $30,928 | $34,725 |
| Hourly rate | $14.87 | $16.69 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 33,412 | 107,110 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 18% |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 12 |
An optometric technician is responsible for performing administrative and clerical tasks to assist patients with their vision problems and needs. Optometric technicians work in the laboratory, constructing glasses and lenses according to the ophthalmologist's advice. They clean and inspect vision equipment and ensure that the facility is well-maintained. An optometric technician must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in responding to the customers' inquiries and concerns, manage information on the database, and release customers' orders.
A phlebotomy technician is responsible for conducting the medical procedure of drawing blood samples using extraction tools and other equipment. Phlebotomy technicians label the samples for laboratory examinations, donation testing, and other related purposes. They also inspect and maintain the cleanliness of medical equipment, including sterilization of needles and other tools, to avoid contamination that would affect the accuracy of the results. A phlebotomy technician records fluid tests and procedures for reference and patient examination history.
Optometric technicians and phlebotomy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometric Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Average salary | $30,928 | $34,725 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $39,000 | Between $26,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between an optometric technician and a phlebotomy technician in terms of educational background:
| Optometric Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 38% | Associate Degree, 18% |
| Most common major | Biology | Medical Assisting Services |
| Most common college | - | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between optometric technicians' and phlebotomy technicians' demographics:
| Optometric Technician | Phlebotomy Technician | |
| Average age | 41 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% | Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 14.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 11.9% White, 53.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 8% |