Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Career, Salary and Skills
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $300,080 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 8,950. Wage data is published for 63 locations.
Occupation description
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
O*NET code
29-1241.00
Job zone
5
Typical education
Post-Doctoral Training
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$300,080
Hourly median
$144.27
Employment
8,950
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.25 | 5.62 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.25 | 4.88 |
| Active Listening | 4.12 | 4.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Active Learning | 4.00 | 4.25 |
| Monitoring | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.00 | 4.00 |
Typical tasks
- Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
- Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
- Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
- Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
- Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
- Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
- Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
- Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
Technology
- Allscripts PM
- athenahealth athenaCollector
- Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR
- Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR
- Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
- CareCloud Central
- Cerner PowerWorks Practice Management
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Email software
- Epic Practice Management
- Epic Systems
- EyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMR
- GalacTek ECLIPSE
- GE Healthcare Centricity Practice Solution
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in NYMedian $360,050 · Employment 960
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in CAMedian $400,150 · Employment 820
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in ILMedian $284,630 · Employment 620
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in FLMedian $399,440 · Employment 580
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $284,630 · Employment 510
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in MAMedian $325,200 · Employment 450
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in Boston, MAMedian $325,200 · Employment 330
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in PAMedian $304,290 · Employment 310
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in MDMedian $211,770 · Employment 260
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in WIMedian $213,890 · Employment 250
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in TNMedian $231,040 · Employment 230
- Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $359,980 · Employment 210
Related careers
- Nurse PractitionersNational median $132,300
- PodiatristsNational median $160,300
- ChiropractorsNational median $79,200
- Pediatricians, GeneralNational median $210,040
- Obstetricians and GynecologistsNational median $292,910
- AnesthesiologistsNational median $391,490
- Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansNational median $45,570
- Emergency Medicine PhysiciansNational median $335,550
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.