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Hospitals & Health Systems
Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
These physicians diagnose eye disease, perform detailed vision exams, and treat problems that range from common vision loss to complex disorders that may need laser surgery or other procedures. The work stands out because it blends medical judgment with hands-on surgery and patient education, and the biggest tradeoff is clear: the pay is high, but the training is long and the work has to be done in person.
Also known as OphthalmologistComprehensive OphthalmologistPhysician OphthalmologistEye SurgeonOphthalmology Specialist
Median Salary
$0
Mean $301,500
U.S. Workforce
~12K
0.3K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.3%
12.5K to 13.1K
Entry Education
Doctoral or professional degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric sits in the Healthcare category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~12K workers, with a median annual pay of $0 and roughly 0.3K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 12.5 K in 2024 to 13.1K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Doctoral Degree (MD or DO), and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Medical Student / Clinical Intern and can progress toward Senior Ophthalmologist / Practice Partner. High-value skills usually include Ophthalmic Diagnostic Testing (Slit Lamp, Tonometry, OCT, Visual Fields), Laser Eye Surgery & Microsurgical Instrument Handling, and Electronic Health Records (Epic, Cerner) & Clinical Documentation, paired with soft skills such as Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Review a patient's history and symptoms before the exam so you can narrow down what may be causing the vision problem.
- Use specialized eye instruments to check how well the eyes and visual system are working and look for signs of disease or damage.
- Explain test results in plain language and walk patients through treatment options, risks, and follow-up care.
- Perform laser procedures when an eye condition needs a surgical fix or precise tissue treatment.
Keep exploring: more Healthcare careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Review a patient's history and symptoms before the exam so you can narrow down what may be causing the vision problem.
02 Use specialized eye instruments to check how well the eyes and visual system are working and look for signs of disease or damage.
03 Explain test results in plain language and walk patients through treatment options, risks, and follow-up care.
04 Perform laser procedures when an eye condition needs a surgical fix or precise tissue treatment.
05 Prescribe medicine or other therapies for eye disorders and adjust the plan as the patient responds.
06 Coordinate with nurses, surgical staff, and other physicians while keeping clear records of exams, procedures, and treatment plans.
Industries That Hire
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Private Ophthalmology Practices
EyeCare Partners, NVISION Eye Centers, TLC Laser Eye Centers
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Academic Medical Centers
Johns Hopkins Medicine, Mass General Brigham, UCLA Health
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Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Surgery Partners, HCA Healthcare, Tenet Healthcare
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Government & Veterans Health Care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Indian Health Service
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is very high, with a mean annual wage of $301,500, reflecting years of specialized training and high responsibility.
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The work combines diagnosis, procedures, and patient counseling, so the day is more varied than a pure clinic role.
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You do not need prior work experience before entering the field; the main hurdle is completing medical school and residency.
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The specialty is highly hands-on, which many physicians find more engaging than a purely administrative medical job.
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Demand is steady enough to support about 0.3K annual openings, so experienced specialists can still find opportunities over time.
Challenges
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The education path is long and expensive: a doctoral or professional degree plus internship/residency is the normal route, and there is no shortcut to full practice.
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Growth is only 4.3% through 2034, so this is a stable field rather than a fast-expanding one.
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There are only about 12,110 jobs in total and roughly 0.3K annual openings, which makes the market relatively small and competitive.
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Remote work is rare because the job depends on in-person exams, imaging, and procedures.
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The role has a structural bottleneck: residency slots, board certification, and surgical training limit how quickly new doctors can enter and advance.
Career Progression
Medical Student / Clinical Intern
0-4 years
$0K-$60K
This stage is mostly classroom learning, rotations, and basic clinical exposure, with a heavy focus on building medical knowledge and getting into residency.
Ophthalmology Resident
4-8 years
$60K-$90K
Residents work under supervision, see patients, assist in procedures, and learn how to handle eye emergencies and surgical cases safely.
Ophthalmologist THIS ROLE
8-15 years
$275K-$325K
At this level, the physician diagnoses eye disease, performs procedures, builds treatment plans, and manages a steady stream of patients in clinic and surgery settings.
Senior Ophthalmologist / Practice Partner
15+ years
$350K-$500K
Experienced doctors often take on more complex cases, mentor younger physicians, and may also help run the practice or lead a surgical service.
Education Paths
Doctoral Degree (MD or DO)
This is the most common reported entry route, held by 20.03% of workers in this occupation, but it is only the start because ophthalmologists still need residency training.
First Professional Degree
Another common path, reported by 13.96% of workers, typically meaning a medical professional degree followed by years of supervised clinical training.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
A smaller share of workers, 13.96%, report this background, usually as a preparatory step before medical school rather than a stand-alone qualification for the job.
Post-Secondary Certificate
Some workers, 9.91%, come from this route, but in practice it is best viewed as support training or a stepping stone, not enough by itself to become an ophthalmologist.
Key Skills
Technical
Ophthalmic Diagnostic Testing (Slit Lamp, Tonometry, OCT, Visual Fields) 95%
Laser Eye Surgery & Microsurgical Instrument Handling 92%
Electronic Health Records (Epic, Cerner) & Clinical Documentation 90%
Treatment Planning & Evidence-Based Eye Care Protocols 88%
Medical Chart Review & Patient History Analysis 86%
Outpatient Procedure Room Sterile Technique & Workflow 84%
Soft Skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSocial Perceptiveness Job Outlook and Trends
+4.3%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
0.3K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 12.5K to 13.1 K over the next decade, representing 4.3% growth. Around 0.3 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.