Optometrists Career, Salary and Skills
Optometrists have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $136,570 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 42,790. Wage data is published for 235 locations.
Occupation 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.
O*NET code
29-1041.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Doctoral Degree
Experience
None
National salary and employment
Median annual
$136,570
Hourly median
$65.66
Employment
42,790
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.12 | 4.88 |
| Active Listening | 4.12 | 4.25 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.12 | 4.25 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Science | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Coordination | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.38 | 3.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.38 | 3.88 |
Typical tasks
- Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- Examine 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.
- Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
- Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
- Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
Technology
- Accra Med Software Filopto
- AltaPoint Data Systems AltaPoint Vision
- Apple Safari
- Babcock Winx Pro
- Compulink Business Systems Eyecare Advantage
- Digital Healthcare OptoMize
- First Insight E-Z Frame
- First Insight MaximEyes
- HealthLine Systems Eyecom
- Insight Software My Vision Express
- Intuit QuickBooks
- MAX Systems Max-Gold7
- MediNotes Charting Plus
- Microsoft Access
Optometrists salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Optometrists Salary in CAMedian $136,300 · Employment 6,890
- Optometrists Salary in TXMedian $126,000 · Employment 4,110
- Optometrists Salary in New York, NYMedian $161,030 · Employment 2,580
- Optometrists Salary in NYMedian $161,140 · Employment 2,390
- Optometrists Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $138,940 · Employment 2,360
- Optometrists Salary in FLMedian $151,670 · Employment 2,350
- Optometrists Salary in PAMedian $135,400 · Employment 1,720
- Optometrists Salary in ILMedian $145,620 · Employment 1,540
- Optometrists Salary in MIMedian $135,650 · Employment 1,410
- Optometrists Salary in NJMedian $159,040 · Employment 1,380
- Optometrists Salary in OHMedian $134,850 · Employment 1,300
- Optometrists Salary in Houston, TXMedian $124,640 · Employment 1,250
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.