The Salary of a Optometrist Assistant
An optometrist assistant helps an optometrist deliver eye-care diagnosis and treatment. She performs tasks in both a clinical and administrative capacity. These include testing patients for color perception, depth of field, and near and far acuity, as well as preparing them for more complex tests conducted by the optometrist. She maintains client records and manages the optometrist's diary. She may also help to fit, adjust and repair glasses and contact lenses. Her salary varies depending on her employment circumstances.
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Average Salary
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The mean yearly wage for a medical assistant, such as an optometrist assistant, was $29,450 as of 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Calculated after data was collected from 495,970 individuals working in the profession, this represents a monthly income of $2,454 and an average hourly rate of $14.16. An optometrist assistant may also receive additional payments, like pension contributions and health insurance, depending on her contract.
Salary by Employer
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The nature of an optometrist assistant's employer can affect her pay. The BLS lists the average salary within the offices of health practitioners other than physicians, such as optometrist, as $26,490 per year. This is among the lowest average salaries for optometrist assistants in the health care industry. Outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals, and speciality hospitals all pay more, $29,830, $30,830 and $33,750 respectively. An optometrist assistant who finds work in an educational establishment --- a college, university or professional school --- can expect a salary around $30,850.
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Salary by Location
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A second factor that can impact upon an optometrist assistant's salary expectations is the location in which she pursues her career. The BLS' survey of 2009 suggests that employment in District of Columbia would bring the most lucrative rewards, with medical assistant salaries averaging $37,790 per year. Alaska and Massachusetts are also among the best-paying states, $36,400 and $34,490 respectively. In contrast, Florida and Michigan are listed at $28,780 and $28,460 respectively. The metropolitan area with the highest wages was the Vallejo-Fairfield area of California, with salaries averaging $43,010 per year.
Prospects
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The BLS posits a bright future for all individuals working as medical assistants, including optometrist assistants. It estimates that the job market for the profession will increase by approximately 34 percent in the decade between 2008 and 2018. The growing population of America combined with the continued technological advances being made in medical care will fuel this rate of growth. In such circumstances, optometrist assistants should be able to secure excellent compensation for their services.
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References
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