HEALTH Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Optometrist

With a national median of $136,570 and +8.0% projected job growth through 2034, Optometrist offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.

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About Optometrist

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 Wage: $136,570
Employed Nationally: 43K
Openings / Year: 2,400
Entry Education: Doctoral or professional degree
Job Zone: Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Also known as:

Optometrist Optometry Doctor (OD) Therapeutic Optometrist

How Much Do Optometrists Make?

Optometrist earn $136,570 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,400 and $165,120. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$136,570

National Median (Annual)

Well above average for college graduates.

$109K–$165K

Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.

Earnings Range

$109,400 Entry-level

$136,570 Median

$165,120 Experienced

What Do Optometrists Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Optometrist roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

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.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Critical Thinking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Writing Speaking

Who Thrives Here

Investigative

This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.

Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

Where Do Optometrists Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting

Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands

Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level

Moderate

Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.

What Is the Job Outlook for Optometrists?

The BLS projects +8.0% employment change for Optometrist through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 2,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +8.0%

10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

Faster than average.

2,400

Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

43K

Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Optometrist professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $136,570 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

#	State	Jobs	Median Wage	vs. National
1	California	6,790	$137,070	+0.4%
2	Texas	3,180	$128,360	-6.0%
3	New York	2,500	$163,040	+19.4%
4	Florida	2,280	$129,500	-5.2%
5	Illinois	1,670	$136,200	-0.3%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Optometrist positions require a doctoral or professional degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Typical Entry Education Doctoral or professional degree

Job Zone

Zone 5: Extensive Preparation

Extensive education (usually a master's or doctoral degree) plus years of field experience is required to qualify for most positions.

Degree Programs That Lead Here

#	Program	Graduates/yr	4yr Median	Colleges
1	Optometry	1,789	—	24

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Top Colleges for Aspiring Optometrists

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

#	College	UCD Score	Net Price	Salary 10yr
1	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA	93	$13,481	$92,446
2	University of Houston Houston, TX	83	$14,276	$62,377
3	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH	83	$17,339	$60,409
4	Indiana University-Bloomington Bloomington, IN	82	$16,264	$63,742
5	Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	71	$8,624	$54,735
6	University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL	71	$18,749	$54,501

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Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Optometrist, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if the degree that leads to Optometrist pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Optometrist Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and growing demand make Optometrist a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.

PROS

Very high median salary The national median of $136,570 places this career well above average for college graduates, with significant upside at the 75th percentile.
Fast-growing field At +8.0% projected growth through 2034, this career grows faster than the national average of about +5%. A strong signal for long-term demand.
High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $165,120 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.

CONS

High education requirement Most employers require a doctoral or professional degree, typically 6 to 10+ years of higher education before earning full wages. Factor tuition costs into your ROI calculation.

Optometrist Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Optometrist professionals earn?

The national median annual wage for Optometrist is $136,570, well into the top quartile of US wages. The middle 50% of earners fall between $109,400 and $165,120. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.

Is Optometrist a good career?

Yes, for the right person, but the commitment is significant. The $136,570 median wage reflects years of training most workers invest, and the path to a first career-level role typically spans 8 to 12 or more years. Job growth of +8.0% through 2034 means demand is real. The harder question is whether the education investment at your specific program will pay off. School selection matters enormously at this preparation level.

How long does it take to become a Optometrist?

Plan on 8 to 12 or more years of combined education and supervised training before qualifying for career-level roles. A doctoral or professional degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Optometry are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $136,570 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.

Is a doctoral or professional degree worth it to become a Optometrist?

Yes, for most programs. At $136,570 median, graduates at in-state public programs typically recoup their investment within 10 to 15 years of practice. School choice (specifically tuition cost and your expected local job market) matters as much as the credential itself.

What is the job outlook for Optometrist?

The BLS projects +8.0% employment change for Optometrist through 2034, faster than average compared to all occupations. About 2,400 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 43K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).

Why do Optometrist salaries vary so widely?

The $55,720 gap between the 25th ($109,400) and 75th ($165,120) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.

What skills do Optometrist professionals need?

O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Optometrist roles: Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.