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
$136,570
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$74,870 – $202,180
People employed
42,790
Holland code
ISR
Investigative · Social · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 2.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 3.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 4.Do you prefer working indoors?
- 5.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 7.Are you happy talking and working with people most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Exposure to disease or infection
Optometrists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What optometrists do
- 01Examine 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.
- 02Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- 03Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- 04Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- 05Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- 06Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Intellectual Curiosity
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from optometrists
- Medical Dosimetrists70% · +8%
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary67% · −21%
- Clinical Research Coordinators67% · group pay
- Genetic Counselors64% · −27%
- Health Informatics Specialists63% · group pay
Majors that lead here
- Optometry
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.