Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-1241.00

12,110people employed, United States

▲ 4.3%projected change, 2024→2034

300openings a year, incl. replacements

Where the jobs are

Metro area	Median wage	Employed
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$218,490	230
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	$214,690	110
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	$215,060	100
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$224,340	90
Eugene, OR	$156,230	40
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$213,490	—
Kansas City, MO-KS	$210,990	—
Columbus, OH	$222,280	—
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$211,550	—
Oklahoma City, OK	$208,000	—

BLS OEWS May 2024, metropolitan estimates · the 12 areas with the most people in this occupation

Typical education to enter: Doctoral or professional degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
Perform ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract, glaucoma, refractive, corneal, vitro-retinal, eye muscle, or oculoplastic surgeries.
Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.
Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.
Refer patients for more specialized treatments when conditions exceed the experience, expertise, or scope of practice of practitioner.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension4.2

Critical Thinking4.2

Active Listening4.1

Writing4.0

Speaking4.0

Active Learning4.0

Monitoring4.0

Science3.9

Learning Strategies3.4

Mathematics3.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Epic Systems●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Word●eClinicalWorks EHR software●Allscripts PMAutomatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHRBenchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHRBizmatics PrognoCIS EMRCareCloud CentralCerner PowerWorks Practice ManagementEmail softwareEpic Practice ManagementEyeMD EMR Healthcare Systems EyeMD EMRGE Healthcare Centricity Practice SolutionGalacTek ECLIPSEGreenway Medical Technologies PrimeSUITEHealthFusion MediTouchIOS Health Systems Medios EHRKareo Practice ManagementMcKesson Practice PlusModernizing Medicine Practice ManagementNextGen Healthcare NextGen Practice ManagementOphthalmic imaging softwareVitera Healthcare Solutions Vitera IntergyWRSHealth EMRathenahealth athenaCollectorsimplifyMD

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Disease or Infections+3.0 above average

Consequence of Error+1.9 above average

Written Letters and Memos+1.7 above average

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable−1.7 below average

Physical Proximity+1.5 above average

Level of Competition+1.4 above average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls+1.3 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2022-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Post-Doctoral Training42%

Doctoral Degree20%

First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.14%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master.14%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2022-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative6.2

Social5.5

Realistic4.4

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving4.0

Judgment and Decision Making4.0

Social Perceptiveness4.0

Service Orientation3.9

Time Management3.9

Instructing3.8

Coordination3.8

Persuasion3.6

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Medicine and DentistryEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceBiologyAdministration and ManagementEducation and Training

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionNear VisionInductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningOral Expression

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

PhysicianOphthalmologistCornea SpecialistRetina SpecialistOphthalmic SurgeonRefractive SurgeonGlaucoma SpecialistMedical Doctor (MD)Neuro-OphthalmologistOculoplastic SpecialistOphthalmology PhysicianClinical OphthalmologistSurgical OphthalmologistOphthalmologist Specialist

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2020

Comparing O*NET release 25.1 (2020-11-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 2

+Epic Systems+eClinicalWorks EHR software

No longer listed 1

−eClinicalWorks Practice Management

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

PhysicianOphthalmologistRetinal SurgeonCornea SpecialistRetina SpecialistRefractive SurgeonOphthalmic SurgeonMedical Doctor (MD)Glaucoma SpecialistRetina SubspecialistNeuro-OphthalmologistVitreo-Retinal Surgeon

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
optometrist	2267.1	close
orthoptist	2267.2	close
specialised doctor	2212.1	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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