How hard is it to become an optometrist?

Becoming an optometrist is challenging as it requires extensive education, rigorous testing, and the need for continuous learning to stay current in the field. The challenging part about becoming an optometrist is the lengthy, rigorous path it takes to become one. The journey typically starts with a bachelor's degree, often in a science-related field.

How to become an optometrist without a degree

You cannot become an optometrist without a degree. You need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree to be an optometrist. Ideally, you will have an undergraduate degree in pre-med or biological sciences. For some schools, you may only need three years of post-secondary education with courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math.

Is being an optometrist a good career?

Yes, being an optometrist is a good career because it has a good work-life balance, is relatively low-stress, and has higher-than-average salaries. Optometrists usually work a 40-hour week, which allows them to pursue activities outside of their jobs. An optometrist might work a daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. They rarely work nights or weekends, so they can spend this time with their friends and families.

What is the career path for an optometrist?

The career path for an optometrist involves jobs as an optometrist in a hospital, an optometrist that runs their own practice, or an optometrist that works in a specialty eye care facility. There is not much variation for those on this career path, as nearly every job that can be obtained is titled an optometrist in some way.

What is an optometrist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Mark Nakano OD

An optometrist specializes in eye care. They examine patients' eyes to detect and diagnose vision problems, diseases, and injuries. Optometrists prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids to correct refractive errors or treat eye disorders. They also provide pre-and post-operative care for patients undergoing eye surgeries. Optometrists work closely with ophthalmologists and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive eye care for their patients. They educate patients on eye health and how to maintain good vision.

What general advice would you give to an optometrist?

Mark Nakano OD

Associate Dean for Clinics, Assistant Professor, Marshall B. Ketchum University

Being a lifelong learner is always an important attribute so that you stay current with the evolution of the profession. A special skill set would include being able to utilize technology in clinical care. More equipment that incorporates technology is prevalent and will improve the outcomes for patients. I believe that connecting with your patient and establishing a trusting relationship will remain the most important piece.

ScoreOptometristUS Average

Salary

9.9

Avg. Salary $187,654

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.6

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.35%

Asian 17.09%

Black or African American 1.43%

Hispanic or Latino 5.20%

Unknown 3.04%

White 72.90%

Gender

female 74.14%

male 25.86%

Age - 44

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44

Stress level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an optometrist?

Pros

Autonomy and independence in practice
Growing demand for eye care services
Variety of work settings, including private practice, hospitals, and retail
Ability to specialize in areas such as pediatrics or contact lenses
Job stability and security

Cons

Risk of exposure to infectious diseases and chemicals
Limited career advancement opportunities beyond owning a practice or teaching
Increasing competition from online retailers for basic eye exams and glasses
Insurance reimbursement challenges and paperwork burdens
High cost of equipment and technology upgrades

Key steps to become an optometrist

Explore optometrist education requirements

Most common optometrist degrees

Bachelor's

36.2 %

Doctorate

26.1 %

Associate

13.0 %

Start to develop specific optometrist skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	29.15%
Patient Care	13.50%
Diagnosis	12.89%
Customer Service	7.12%
Diagnostic Tests	6.65%

Complete relevant optometrist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New optometrists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an optometrist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real optometrist resumes.

Research optometrist duties and responsibilities

Experience in OCT, visual fields, and EMR.
View cataracts in live patients and compare to class examples.
Work closely with the LASIK and cataract surgeons to provide comprehensive care to patients.
Perform eye exams and care for all patients including pre op and post operative care.

Prepare your optometrist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your optometrist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an optometrist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable optometrist resume templates

Build a professional optometrist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your optometrist resume.