Optometrists: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Optometrists fall under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical category in the U.S. occupational classification. Optometrists earn a median salary of $134,830 per year, ranking in the top 4% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +8.0% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree followed by a professional doctorate (such as MD, DO, JD, DDS, or PharmD), 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 optometrists earn?

The median annual wage for optometrists is $134,830. That puts optometrists at #32 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. 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 optometrists a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for optometrists is +8.0%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 47K positions in 2024 to 51K in 2034, a net change of 4K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do optometrists do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working optometrists, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
2. 2.Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
3. 3.Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
4. 4.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.
5. 5.Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
6. 6.Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
7. 7.Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
8. 8.Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.

Top skills for optometrists

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become optometrist?

Becoming a optometrist 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.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about optometrists