Optometrists: Career Overview
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
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The Daily Work of Optometrists Do?
Typical responsibilities of optometrists cover:
- Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
- Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
- Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
- Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
What Optometrists Need to Know
Effective optometrists rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
These are the skills most central to this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Optometrists Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Optometrist
- Optometry Doctor (OD)
- Therapeutic Optometrist
Employment and Demand
There are about 1,080,119 optometrists working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to decline by -4.5% over the projection horizon.
Salary for Optometrists
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $116,847 |
| Hourly median | $56.18 |
| 10th percentile | $82,052 |
| 25th percentile | $99,449 |
| 75th percentile | $134,245 |
| 90th percentile | $151,643 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Optometrists Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $165,830 |
| New York | $163,040 |
| Maryland | $157,830 |
| Washington | $157,650 |
| New Jersey | $156,000 |
| Vermont | $156,000 |
| New Mexico | $154,630 |
| District of Columbia | $154,300 |
| North Carolina | $153,750 |
| Massachusetts | $150,820 |
| Minnesota | $150,020 |
| Nevada | $146,760 |
| Rhode Island | $144,360 |
| Connecticut | $143,000 |
| Delaware | $137,910 |
| Wisconsin | $137,650 |
| South Carolina | $137,450 |
| Colorado | $137,370 |
| California | $137,070 |
| Hawaii | $136,670 |
| Illinois | $136,200 |
| Arizona | $134,430 |
| Maine | $133,470 |
| Kentucky | $132,000 |
| Michigan | $131,700 |
| New Hampshire | $130,310 |
| West Virginia | $130,190 |
| Ohio | $130,000 |
| Alabama | $129,700 |
| Georgia | $129,690 |
| Florida | $129,500 |
| North Dakota | $128,940 |
| Kansas | $128,510 |
| Texas | $128,360 |
| Pennsylvania | $128,260 |
| Indiana | $127,080 |
| Utah | $124,830 |
| Louisiana | $120,080 |
| Iowa | $119,990 |
| Oregon | $119,980 |
| South Dakota | $118,980 |
| Nebraska | $116,850 |
| Missouri | $113,030 |
| Tennessee | $110,660 |
| Puerto Rico | $109,980 |
| Montana | $108,600 |
| Mississippi | $107,600 |
| Arkansas | $99,970 |
| Oklahoma | $98,890 |
| Wyoming | $88,410 |
| Idaho | $66,880 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for optometrists shift depending on where you work. Top regions by median wage:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Atlantic | $151,630 | 14.5% | 0.97 |
| New England | $145,792 | 5.3% | 1.13 |
| Far Western US | $138,745 | 21.2% | 1.29 |
| Great Lakes | $132,524 | 14.6% | 1.03 |
| Southwest | $126,798 | 11.5% | 0.93 |
| Plains States | $126,786 | 7.2% | 1.09 |
| Rocky Mountains | $120,056 | 4.5% | 1.14 |
| Southeast | $113,975 | 20.6% | 0.87 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | WI | $176,930 | 40 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $165,870 | 80 |
| Reno, NV | NV | $165,060 | 80 |
| Albuquerque, NM | NM | $165,050 | 70 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | AL | $164,560 | 40 |
| Syracuse, NY | NY | $163,400 | 120 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $163,320 | 720 |
| Anchorage, AK | AK | $162,980 | 40 |
Top Industries Employing Optometrists
The bulk of optometrists work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 35,300 | $132,840 |
| Retail Trade | 5,630 | $156,790 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 130 | $163,040 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 110 | $160,260 |
| Educational Services | 110 | $107,840 |
Optometrists work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Internet browser software: Apple Safari (hot technology)
- Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Microsoft Edge (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft SQL Server (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Mozilla Firefox (hot technology)
- Internet browser software: Web browser software (in demand)
What the Workplace Is Like
The work environment for optometrists tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How to Become Optometrists
This occupation sits in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Chiropractors (Primary-Long)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Primary-Long)
- Podiatrists (Supplemental)
- Nurse Practitioners (Supplemental)
- Audiologists (Supplemental)
- Anesthesiologists (Supplemental)
- Dermatologists (Primary-Short)
- Emergency Medicine Physicians (Supplemental)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Future optometrists typically earn programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
Statistics shown above are sourced from the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 29-1041.00 (Optometrists).
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