skip to main content
MENU

Optometrists In Demand

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.

Explore this career in the Military

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit54.65%
  2. Self-employed36.90%
  3. Private, not for profit5.09%
  4. Federal government2.11%
  5. State and local government1.24%

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

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+9%
Read More

Job Outlook

×

Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much 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.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$125,590

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

$88,823

Explore this career in the Military

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$47,310
$168,780
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

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%

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Investigative — You have an interest in studying and researching objects, organisms, and other things.
  • Social — You have an interest in helping, teaching, advising, assisting or providing service to others.
  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

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

Knowledge

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

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

No Information for this section

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.