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The differences between x-ray technicians and optometric technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an x-ray technician and an optometric technician. Additionally, an x-ray technician has an average salary of $51,642, which is higher than the $30,928 average annual salary of an optometric technician.
The top three skills for an x-ray technician include patients, ARRT and radiologic technologist. The most important skills for an optometric technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| X-Ray Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $51,642 | $30,928 |
| Hourly rate | $24.83 | $14.87 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 60,780 | 33,412 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The job of X-ray technicians, or X-ray technologists, is to detect medical issues that may need urgent medical treatment using cutting-edge imaging methods. The pictures they generate aid physicians in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses with better accuracy. They use a wide range of imaging technologies such as the traditional X-ray machines, computerized axial tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. X-ray technicians may also perform some office work that includes preparing work schedules, managing radiologic departments, and setting up physicians' stations.
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.
X-ray technicians and optometric technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| X-Ray Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Average salary | $51,642 | $30,928 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $81,000 | Between $24,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fresno, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Stability Healthcare | - |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | - |
There are a few differences between an x-ray technician and an optometric technician in terms of educational background:
| X-Ray Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Biology |
| Most common college | Texas A&M University | - |
Here are the differences between x-ray technicians' and optometric technicians' demographics:
| X-Ray Technician | Optometric Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 40.3% Female, 59.7% | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 9.3% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 6% |