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Optometrists

General Information

Description

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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Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Self-employed49.14%
  2. Private, for profit41.37%
  3. Private, not for profit4.70%
  4. Federal government4.17%
  5. State and local government0.07%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Health Science

Job Outlook

Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,700 openings for optometrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,700 openings for optometrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$124,300

Military salary*

$87,719

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State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$134,900
$78,280
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Doctoral degree 95%
  • First professional degree 4%
  • High school 0%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Knowledge

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Biology
  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Education and Training

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.