Hiring guide · Healthcare
How to Hire an Optometrist
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring optometrists, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $136,570), recruit through community college and vocational program career centers, verify NBEO exams where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for optometrists
There are about 45,100 optometrists employed in the U.S., with roughly 2,000 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +9.5% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $74,870–$109,400 | $36.00–$52.60 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $136,570 | $65.66 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $165,120 | $79.38 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $202,180 | $97.20 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- Doctoral or professional degree (typical entry level)
- Licensing or certification required in your state
- Refraction
- Communication
Nice-to-haves
- NBEO exams
- State optometry license
- Therapeutic certification
- Experience with phoropter
Where to find optometrists
- Community college and vocational program career centers
- Clinical externship and student-placement partnerships
- State nurse aide registries and healthcare job boards
- Employee referral programs
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: OD, Eye Doctor, Doctor of Optometry, Primary Eye Care Provider
Screening checklist
- Verify certifications and state registry or license status with the issuing body
- Background checks and federal exclusion-list (OIG LEIE) screening as required for your organization
- Immunization records, TB testing and drug screening according to policy and law
- Current BLS/CPR certification
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Why optometry?”
What a strong answer includes: Share motivation.
2. “How do you explain diagnoses?”
What a strong answer includes: Show clarity.
3. “What settings interest you?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “How do you handle urgent eye problems?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain referrals.
5. “What technology do you use?”
What a strong answer includes: List.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Perform a Refraction (see the steps)
- Screen for Glaucoma (see the steps)
- Fit Soft Contact Lenses (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Refraction, Visual acuity, Myopia
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Optometrist 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Optometrist training. Show them the path forward: Associate Optometrist → Specialty Optometrist → Practice Owner → Clinic Director or Faculty.
Hiring optometrists: FAQ
How much should I pay an optometrist?
The U.S. median wage for optometrists is $136,570 per year ($65.66/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($109,400), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($165,120). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should an optometrist have?
BLS lists “doctoral or professional degree” as the typical entry-level education. Look for NBEO exams and State optometry license where relevant, plus skills such as refraction, eye disease diagnosis, and contact lens fitting.
How long does it take to train a new optometrist?
Becoming qualified typically takes 8 years after high school. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “none.”