29
Optometrists is a notable career in the 29 category. This page provides verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0 (2024), helping you compare Optometrists against similar careers and make data-driven decisions.
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| soc | 29-1041 |
| title | Optometrists |
| onet code | 29-1041.00 |
| description | Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. |
| job zone | 5 |
| major group | 29 |
| tot emp | 41,890 |
| a mean | 140,940 |
| a median | 134,830 |
| a pct10 | 70,060 |
| a pct25 | 103,310 |
| a pct75 | 163,710 |
| a pct90 | 203,210 |
| h mean | 67 |
| h median | 64 |
The day-to-day work of a optometrists typically centers on 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. Every task listed below is classified as Core in O*NET — they collectively define the role. Task descriptions below are quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET 29.0 occupation profile.
Workers in this occupation rely most on Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, and Critical Thinking. Across the top 10 skills, the average O*NET importance score is 3.81 out of 5 — highly rated for this role. Importance reflects how essential each skill is for adequate job performance.
Among working optometrists, the most common entry qualification is a Doctoral Degree (95.2%). Bachelor's-degree-or-higher credentials are reported by 100% of incumbents. This is a degree-heavy profession — most incumbents hold a four-year degree or beyond.
Median annual pay is highest in Alaska at $165,830 and lowest in Idaho at $66,880 — a 2.5× spread. The top five states (Alaska, New York, Maryland, Washington, New Jersey) average $160,070. Figures reflect BLS OEWS May 2024 state-level wage estimates; percentiles shown are for full-time wage-earners in each state.
| State | Median | Mean | 10th % | 90th % | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $165,830 | $154,110 | $43,000 | $236,860 | 70 |
| New York | $163,040 | $158,600 | $108,190 | $196,270 | 2,500 |
| Maryland | $157,830 | $142,060 | $51,130 | $196,360 | 870 |
| Washington | $157,650 | $159,450 | $114,460 | $211,020 | 930 |
| New Jersey | $156,000 | $145,500 | $49,920 | $183,010 | 950 |
| Vermont | $156,000 | $146,710 | $59,360 | $190,490 | 100 |
| New Mexico | $154,630 | $156,800 | $94,310 | $185,820 | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $154,300 | $157,130 | $84,990 | — | 60 |
| North Carolina | $153,750 | $159,420 | $72,310 | — | 1,400 |
| Massachusetts | $150,820 | $150,070 | $106,970 | $186,330 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $150,020 | $143,450 | $93,430 | $199,990 | 700 |
| Nevada | $146,760 | $138,650 | $83,330 | $174,990 | 360 |
| Rhode Island | $144,360 | $144,670 | $64,710 | $207,430 | 220 |
| Connecticut | $143,000 | $154,780 | $49,760 | $217,040 | 410 |
| Delaware | $137,910 | $134,830 | $75,250 | $182,050 | 180 |
| Wisconsin | $137,650 | $141,570 | $69,490 | $212,440 | 750 |
| South Carolina | $137,450 | $123,900 | $55,290 | $163,480 | 480 |
| Colorado | $137,370 | $144,980 | $61,500 | $231,400 | 980 |
| California | $137,070 | $142,850 | $71,860 | $213,420 | 6,790 |
| Hawaii | $136,670 | $145,060 | $99,040 | $207,970 | 230 |
| Illinois | $136,200 | $134,250 | $68,320 | $176,130 | 1,670 |
| Arizona | $134,430 | $139,300 | $95,990 | $174,530 | 960 |
| Maine | $133,470 | $158,880 | $100,510 | $235,420 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $132,000 | $154,120 | $51,880 | — | 500 |
| Michigan | $131,700 | $133,610 | $95,470 | $162,700 | 1,330 |
| New Hampshire | $130,310 | $167,100 | $69,000 | $236,210 | 200 |
| West Virginia | $130,190 | $136,210 | $63,460 | $215,640 | 150 |
| Ohio | $130,000 | $131,550 | $53,900 | $172,420 | 1,450 |
| Alabama | $129,700 | $125,860 | $54,420 | $175,260 | 470 |
| Georgia | $129,690 | $132,250 | $79,640 | $202,610 | 860 |
| Florida | $129,500 | $132,350 | $52,610 | $205,020 | 2,280 |
| North Dakota | $128,940 | $130,840 | $79,960 | $168,510 | 180 |
| Kansas | $128,510 | $142,400 | $94,990 | $212,900 | 460 |
| Texas | $128,360 | $132,370 | $44,610 | $177,360 | 3,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $128,260 | $135,880 | $79,310 | $175,410 | 1,530 |
| Indiana | $127,080 | $133,060 | $66,160 | $207,430 | 960 |
| Utah | $124,830 | $140,770 | $55,010 | $219,690 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $120,080 | $127,470 | $45,180 | $215,730 | 230 |
| Iowa | $119,990 | $125,530 | $77,000 | $178,520 | 460 |
| Oregon | $119,980 | $122,340 | $77,990 | $163,660 | 560 |
| South Dakota | $118,980 | $119,420 | $83,740 | $170,590 | 200 |
| Nebraska | $116,850 | $136,810 | $64,550 | $191,760 | 370 |
| Missouri | $113,030 | $121,680 | $59,990 | $166,240 | 660 |
| Tennessee | $110,660 | $125,970 | $55,510 | $174,710 | 590 |
| Montana | $108,600 | $114,630 | $57,920 | $166,440 | 150 |
| Mississippi | $107,600 | $127,920 | $58,860 | $227,540 | 250 |
| Arkansas | $99,970 | $124,990 | $56,030 | $217,800 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $98,890 | $105,920 | $42,460 | $171,210 | 580 |
| Wyoming | $88,410 | $120,880 | $26,550 | — | 90 |
| Idaho | $66,880 | $88,350 | $37,930 | $172,300 | 270 |
Recruiters and job boards use several alternate titles for optometrists. Knowing these variants widens your job search — listings for Optometrist or Optometry Doctor (OD) frequently describe the same role.
This data helps you understand how Optometrists compares to others in the 29 category. Use it to make informed decisions based on verified data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0.
careers with the closest data values to Optometrists
The CertifyWize editorial team aggregates and verifies careers data from BLS OEWS 2024 + O*NET 29.0. Every statistic on this site is cross-referenced against the official source before publication, with quarterly re-verification cycles.
Read our full methodology or contact us with corrections.
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