Jobs Similar to Ophthalmologists (Except Pediatric)
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to ophthalmologists (except pediatric), according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Urologists, Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Optometrists.
Ophthalmologists (Except Pediatric): $300,080 median pay · usual preparation: Graduate degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Ophthalmologists (Except Pediatric)) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UrologistsSame group | 83% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 2 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 83% | $292,910−2% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | OptometristsSame group | 83% | $136,570−54% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $335,550+12% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $256,560−15% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | DermatologistsSame group | 81% | $328,730+10% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | RadiologistsSame group | 81% | $420,860+40% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | NeurologistsSame group | 80% | $248,560−17% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 12 | HospitalistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 13 | VeterinariansSame group | 80% | $130,100−57% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 80% | $132,300−56% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsSame group | 79% | $352,220+17% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | PodiatristsSame group | 79% | $160,300−47% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 79% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Critical Care NursesSame group | 79% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Preventive Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 79% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Urologists
83% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Obstetricians and Gynecologists
83% similar · $292,910 (−2%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Optometrists
83% similar · $136,570 (−54%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Allergists and Immunologists
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Emergency Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $335,550 (+12%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7General Internal Medicine Physicians
81% similar · $256,560 (−15%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Dermatologists
81% similar · $328,730 (+10%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Radiologists
81% similar · $420,860 (+40%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Neurologists
80% similar · $248,560 (−17%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Sports Medicine Physicians
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Hospitalists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Veterinarians
80% similar · $130,100 (−57%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Nurse Practitioners
80% similar · $132,300 (−56%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
79% similar · $352,220 (+17%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Podiatrists
79% similar · $160,300 (−47%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 17Acute Care Nurses
79% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Naturopathic Physicians
79% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Critical Care Nurses
79% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Preventive Medicine Physicians
79% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than ophthalmologists (except pediatric).
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for ophthalmologists (except pediatric) also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like ophthalmologists (except pediatric)
What jobs are most similar to ophthalmologists (except pediatric)?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Urologists (83% similar), Obstetricians and Gynecologists (83% similar), Optometrists (83% similar), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians (82% similar) and Allergists and Immunologists (82% similar).
Which jobs like ophthalmologists (except pediatric) pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Radiologists ($420,860, +40%; usually a graduate degree), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($352,220, +17%; usually a graduate degree) and Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +12%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with ophthalmologists (except pediatric) ($300,080). Without more preparation than ophthalmologists (except pediatric) usually need: Radiologists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Emergency Medicine Physicians.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.