Optometrists
Job Zone 5 - Extensive preparation needed
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.
Median pay: $136,570/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.
About 2,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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's the median pay for Optometrists?
The median pay for Optometrists is $136,570 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Optometrists?
Employment for Optometrists is projected to change +8% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.
What education is typically required for Optometrists?
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Optometrists?
About 2,400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.