Optometrists
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.
Also called: Optometrist · Optometry Doctor (OD) · Therapeutic Optometrist
Median pay (national)
$134,830
$70,060–$203,210 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
41,890
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+8%
~2,400 openings/yr
Typical entry
Doctoral or professional degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for optometrists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $203,210 versus $70,060 at the bottom 10% — 2.9x. The median of $134,830 leaves roughly 51% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +8% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 2,400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $165,830, +23% vs the national median), while Idaho sits lowest at $66,880 — a 148% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Web browser software as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
- Provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation.
Tools & technology
- Apple Safari
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Web browser software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Accra Med Software Filopto
- AltaPoint Data Systems AltaPoint Vision
- Babcock Winx Pro
- Compulink Business Systems Eyecare Advantage
- Digital Healthcare OptoMize
- First Insight E-Z Frame
- First Insight MaximEyes
- HealthLine Systems Eyecom
- Insight Software My Vision Express
- MAX Systems Max-Gold7
Knowledge areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology