Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric earn a median salary of $300,080 per year, ranking in the top 1% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +4.5% job growth through 2035, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's or doctoral degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do ophthalmologists, except pediatric earn?

The median annual wage for ophthalmologists, except pediatric is $300,080. That puts ophthalmologists, except pediatric at #12 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric sit firmly in the top tier of U.S. earnings. Pay this high almost always requires extensive postgraduate education, board certification, or executive-level responsibility. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is ophthalmologists, except pediatric a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for ophthalmologists, except pediatric is +4.5%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 9K positions in 2024 to 10K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What education does my child need to become ophthalmologists, except pediatric?

Becoming a ophthalmologists, except pediatric typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a master's, doctoral, or professional degree, plus state licensure or board certification depending on specialty. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about ophthalmologists, except pediatric