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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Military Optometrists

Median Salary
94,223
Workforce Count
327

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams, during which they check patients’ eyes for common eye diseases, assess how their eyes work together as a team, and evaluate their eyes as an indicator of their overall health. They also provide vision correction through vision training, glasses, or contact lenses. They see service members of all ages and stages of vision development and degeneration, and refer patients with eye diseases to ophthalmologists.

What is the work environment like?

Optometrists work in clinics and hospitals.

How many people have this role in the Military?

327

Compensation

Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary

Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.

  • Always fixed based on rank and service time.
  • Distributed monthly.
Learn More About Military Benefits

What is the typical salary range?

Salary by Years of Service

$136,303

2 Years

$97,536

6 Years

$136,303

10+ Years
Median Salary
94,223

Military Details

What Service Branches offer this role?

Learn More About Service Branches

Is this a staff or leadership role?

Enlisted
Officer
Officers are service members who plan, direct operations and manage enlisted personnel, developing a broad range of leadership-related skills.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer Paths

What does the training for this role entail?

Job training for optometrists primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development.

    Education

    What level of education do professionals in this role have?

    Education Level

    • Doctoral degree

      95%

    • First professional degree

      4%

    Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree

    The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
    Learn More About Paying For College

    Skills and Interest

    What skills will set you up for success?

    Skills

    • Verbal Skills

      High

    • Leadership

      High

    • Math and Science Skills

      High

    • Technology Design and Control

      High

    • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

      Mid

    • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

      Mid

    What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?

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

    What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

    Workplace

    • Repetitiveness

      High

    • Responsibility

      High

    • Decision Making

      High

    • Level Of Competition

      High

    • Time Pressure

      Mid

    • Exposure to Job Hazards

      Low

    • Physical Activity

      Low

    What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

    Investigative

    You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

    Social

    You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

    Realistic

    You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

    RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

    Take the RIASEC Test

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