Healthcare career

Optometrist

Also called: OD · Eye Doctor · Doctor of Optometry · Primary Eye Care Provider

What optometrists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an optometrist do?

Optometrists examine eyes for vision problems and disease, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and diagnose and treat many eye conditions. The median pay is $136,570 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 8 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +9.5% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $136,570
    $65.66/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +9.5%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    2,000
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    8 years after high school
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    45,100
    Employment, 2025

What optometrists do

Optometrists are primary eye care doctors. They test vision, prescribe glasses and contact lenses, check for glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration, treat infections and dry eye, manage eye problems from diabetes, and refer patients for surgery when needed. Many work in private practices or retail settings.

Optometrists earn a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, a four-year program after college, and must be licensed. BLS projects faster-than-average growth as the population ages.

Typical duties

  • Perform eye exams
  • Prescribe glasses and contacts
  • Diagnose eye diseases
  • Treat infections and dry eye
  • Manage glaucoma and diabetic eye care
  • Fit specialty contact lenses
  • Refer for surgery

Work environment and schedule

Optometrists work in private practices, retail optical stores, clinics and medical centers.

Schedule: Most work full-time; retail settings often include evenings and weekends.

A day in the life

  1. Do a comprehensive eye exam.
  2. Fit contact lenses for a teen.
  3. Check eye pressure for a glaucoma patient.
  4. Treat a patient with pink eye.

See a full day in the life of an optometrist →

Optometrist salary

Half of optometrists earned more than $136,570 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $74,870 for the lowest 10% to $202,180 for the top 10%.

Full optometrist pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an optometrist

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Take the OAT
  3. Complete an OD program
  4. Pass the NBEO
  5. Practice or do a residency

A Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited program is required, plus national board exams and a state license.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an optometrist →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Refraction
  • Eye disease diagnosis
  • Contact lens fitting
  • Diagnostic imaging
  • Pharmacology

People skills

  • Communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Patience
  • Empathy

All optometrist skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • High pay
  • Regular hours
  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Mix of medical and vision care

Cons

  • Doctoral degree and debt
  • Repetitive exams
  • Retail pressure in some settings
  • Insurance paperwork

Certifications and licenses

  • NBEO exams: National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
  • State optometry license: Required.
  • Therapeutic certification: Required to treat with medications.
  • Fellowship (FAAO): American Academy of Optometry.

Career path

  1. Associate Optometrist: Practice.
  2. Specialty Optometrist: Residency-trained.
  3. Practice Owner: Run a practice.
  4. Clinic Director or Faculty: Lead or teach.

Learn the job before day one

Our Optometrist training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as perform a refraction and screen for glaucoma, safety and how to land your first job.

View Optometrist trainingIs this career right for me?

Optician

Fit eyeglasses and contact lenses so patients see clearly and comfortably.

  • $47,260
  • 1–2 years on the job

Ophthalmologist

Diagnose and treat eye diseases and perform eye surgery.

  • $300,080
  • 12 years after high school

Compare: Optometrist vs. Optician · Optometrist vs. Ophthalmic Tech · Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist · Optometrist vs. Optical Lab Tech

Optometrist FAQ

Is an optometrist a medical doctor?

No, they hold a Doctor of Optometry degree; ophthalmologists are MDs who do eye surgery.

Can optometrists prescribe medications?

Yes, all states allow therapeutic prescribing, within limits.

Is the field growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster-than-average growth.

How much does an optometrist make?

The median annual wage for optometrists was $136,570 ($65.66 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $74,870 and the highest 10% earned more than $202,180.

How long does it take to become an optometrist?

Most people need about 8 years after high school of training. A Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree from an accredited program is required, plus national board exams and a state license.

Do you need a degree to be an optometrist?

Yes. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry-level education, and you also need a state license to practice.

More optometrist questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz