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The differences between optometrists and ophthalmologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an ophthalmologist has an average salary of $234,030, which is higher than the $187,654 average annual salary of an optometrist.
The top three skills for an optometrist include patients, patient care and diagnosis. The most important skills for an ophthalmologist are patients, ophthalmology, and surgery.
| Optometrist | Ophthalmologist | |
| Yearly salary | $187,654 | $234,030 |
| Hourly rate | $90.22 | $112.51 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 20,993 | 22,043 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 30% |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A licensed optometrist is primarily responsible for the vision and eye care of clients, treating different conditions such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. Their duties mostly revolve around performing eye and vision tests, diagnosing issues, providing consultations, prescribing corrective glasses and lenses, and educating clients on proper eye care methods. Furthermore, an optometrist must maintain records of all cases and treatment plans, and supervise support staff should they choose to work at a private clinic or a similar setting.
An ophthalmologist is an eye physician specializing in the care and treatment of eyes and vision. Ophthalmologists are trained and licensed to practice medicine and surgery of the eye and treat all eye diseases. Ophthalmologists also engage in scientific research work to find out causes of eye diseases and vision disorders and come up with cures for these eye problems. The main role of this eye physician is to first preserve and improve a patient's vision.
Optometrists and ophthalmologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Optometrist | Ophthalmologist | |
| Average salary | $187,654 | $234,030 |
| Salary range | Between $94,000 And $373,000 | Between $129,000 And $423,000 |
| Highest paying City | Greensboro, NC | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | North Carolina | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Mayo Clinic |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Health Care |
There are a few differences between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist in terms of educational background:
| Optometrist | Ophthalmologist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 30% |
| Most common major | Optometry | Medicine |
| Most common college | University of California, Berkeley | University of Virginia |
Here are the differences between optometrists' and ophthalmologists' demographics:
| Optometrist | Ophthalmologist | |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1% | Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 17.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 18% | 13% |