Jobs Similar to Optometrists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to optometrists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians, General Internal Medicine Physicians and Urologists.
Optometrists: $136,570 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. Optometrists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $256,560+88% | Graduate degree |
| 3 | UrologistsSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 84% | $292,910+114% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | DermatologistsSame group | 84% | $328,730+141% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Naturopathic PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 7 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $335,550+146% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | PodiatristsSame group | 83% | $160,300+17% | Graduate degree |
| 9 | Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricSame group | 83% | $300,080+120% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 11 | NeurologistsSame group | 82% | $248,560+82% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | VeterinariansSame group | 82% | $130,100−5% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | Allergists and ImmunologistsSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 14 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 81% | $132,300−3% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 81% | $135,880−1% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Exercise PhysiologistsSame group | 81% | $59,460−56% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | PharmacistsSame group | 81% | $140,910+3% | Graduate degree |
| 18 | AnesthesiologistsSame group | 81% | $391,490+187% | Graduate degree |
| 19 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 81% | $102,760−25% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Preventive Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 81% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2General Internal Medicine Physicians
84% similar · $256,560 (+88%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Urologists
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists
84% similar · $292,910 (+114%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Dermatologists
84% similar · $328,730 (+141%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 6Naturopathic Physicians
83% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7Emergency Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $335,550 (+146%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Podiatrists
83% similar · $160,300 (+17%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
83% similar · $300,080 (+120%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Sports Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Neurologists
82% similar · $248,560 (+82%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Veterinarians
82% similar · $130,100 (−5%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Allergists and Immunologists
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Nurse Practitioners
81% similar · $132,300 (−3%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Physician Assistants
81% similar · $135,880 (−1%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Exercise Physiologists
81% similar · $59,460 (−56%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Pharmacists
81% similar · $140,910 (+3%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 18Anesthesiologists
81% similar · $391,490 (+187%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 19Physical Therapists
81% similar · $102,760 (−25%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 20Preventive Medicine Physicians
81% 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 optometrists.
- Anesthesiologists81% similar · $391,490 (+187%)
- Emergency Medicine Physicians83% similar · $335,550 (+146%)
- Dermatologists84% similar · $328,730 (+141%)
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric83% similar · $300,080 (+120%)
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists84% similar · $292,910 (+114%)
- General Internal Medicine Physicians84% similar · $256,560 (+88%)
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 optometrists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Questions about jobs like optometrists
What jobs are most similar to optometrists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians (84% similar), General Internal Medicine Physicians (84% similar), Urologists (84% similar), Obstetricians and Gynecologists (84% similar) and Dermatologists (84% similar).
Which jobs like optometrists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Anesthesiologists ($391,490, +187%; usually a graduate degree), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +146%; usually a graduate degree) and Dermatologists ($328,730, +141%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with optometrists ($136,570). Without more preparation than optometrists usually need: Anesthesiologists, Emergency Medicine Physicians and Dermatologists.
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.