Medical Laboratory Careers: Your Complete Guide to Opportunities, Growth, and Related Healthcare Paths
13 Apr, 2026
If you've been researching optometry as a career path, you're already on the right track. Optometry is a specialized branch of healthcare that focuses on examining, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the visual system. Whether you've stumbled upon this page after searching for "optometey" or you've been carefully mapping out your professional future, I want to give you a comprehensive look at what it takes to become an optometrist, what the job market looks like, and why this field deserves your serious consideration.
At healthcareers.app, we've helped thousands of healthcare professionals — from nurses and physicians to allied health workers and administrators — find their next career opportunity. Optometry is one of those fields that consistently attracts passionate, science-minded individuals who want to make a tangible difference in patients' lives every single day. Let me walk you through everything you need to know.
Optometry is a primary healthcare profession centered on the eyes and visual system. Optometrists are doctors of optometry (OD) who perform comprehensive eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses, diagnose eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, and in many states, treat certain conditions with medications or minor procedures.
It's important to distinguish optometrists from ophthalmologists (medical doctors who specialize in eye surgery) and opticians (technicians who fit and dispense eyeglasses). Optometrists occupy a critical middle ground — they're the primary point of contact for most patients' eye health needs, and they serve as gatekeepers who refer complex surgical cases to ophthalmologists when necessary.
Becoming an optometrist requires significant educational commitment, but I can assure you that the investment pays off — both professionally and financially. Here's the typical pathway:
Most optometry programs require a bachelor's degree or at least 90 credit hours of prerequisite coursework. Strong candidates typically major in biology, chemistry, or a related science. Key prerequisite courses include organic chemistry, physics, microbiology, statistics, and anatomy. Maintaining a competitive GPA — generally 3.0 or higher — is essential for admission to optometry school.
Optometry school is a rigorous four-year program that culminates in a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. The first two years typically focus on classroom-based learning in ocular anatomy, pharmacology, optics, and systemic disease. The final two years emphasize hands-on clinical rotations where students examine real patients under supervision. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, there are currently 23 accredited optometry programs in the United States.
After earning your OD degree, you must pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams and obtain a state license. Some graduates choose to complete a one-year residency in specialties like pediatric optometry, ocular disease, or low vision rehabilitation. While residency isn't required, it can significantly enhance your expertise and marketability.
One of the most compelling reasons to pursue optometry is the strong compensation and excellent job outlook. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), the median annual wage for optometrists was approximately $125,590 as of their most recent data. The top 10 percent of earners in the field made well over $175,000 annually, particularly those in private practice or high-demand geographic areas.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that employment of optometrists will grow by approximately 9 percent over the coming decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by an aging population that increasingly needs vision care, rising rates of diabetes-related eye conditions, and greater awareness of the importance of regular eye exams.
One thing I love about optometry is the diversity of practice settings available. You're not locked into a single career trajectory. Here's where optometrists commonly find employment:
Many optometrists dream of owning their own practice. Private practice offers maximum autonomy, the ability to build long-term patient relationships, and potentially higher earnings. However, it also requires business acumen, startup capital, and a willingness to manage staff, billing, and operations.
Large retailers and optical chains like LensCrafters, Walmart Vision Center, and Costco Optical employ significant numbers of optometrists. These positions offer predictable schedules, steady income, and fewer business management responsibilities.
Optometrists working in hospital settings often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. This is where optometry intersects with other healthcare disciplines. For example, optometrists frequently work alongside primary care physicians and specialists — including those trained in osteopathic medicine. An osteopathic medicine doctor (DO) practicing family medicine, for instance, might regularly refer patients with systemic conditions affecting the eyes, such as diabetes or hypertension, to an optometrist within the same health system. This kind of interdisciplinary collaboration is becoming increasingly common and highlights how interconnected modern healthcare truly is.
The VA system is one of the largest employers of optometrists in the country. VA optometrists provide comprehensive eye care to veterans and often enjoy excellent benefits, loan repayment programs, and structured career advancement opportunities.
There's a significant need for optometrists in underserved communities across the country. Whether it's a small town or a rural region, communities everywhere need access to quality eye care. I've seen job seekers on our platform discover opportunities in unexpected places — even candidates who initially searched for entirely different healthcare roles, like a vet in Madisonville, KY, who pivoted their interest toward human healthcare after learning about the optometry opportunities available in smaller communities. The point is that rural and semi-rural areas across states like Kentucky, Tennessee, and beyond are actively recruiting optometrists, and these positions often come with attractive incentive packages including signing bonuses and student loan forgiveness.
When I talk with healthcare job seekers, they often weigh optometry against other doctoral-level healthcare paths. Here's how it stacks up:
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs or DOs) who complete medical school, a general residency, and then an ophthalmology residency — a total of 12+ years of post-undergraduate training. Optometrists complete 8 years total. Ophthalmologists perform surgery; optometrists generally do not (though scope-of-practice laws are expanding in some states). If you're drawn to eye care but prefer a shorter training pathway and a strong work-life balance, optometry is often the better fit.
An osteopathic medicine doctor (DO) goes through a broader medical training that covers the entire body, with a holistic philosophy emphasizing the musculoskeletal system. A DO can specialize in virtually any medical field, including ophthalmology. Optometry, by contrast, is focused exclusively on the eyes and visual system from the start. Both paths are highly respected, but they serve different professional goals. According to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, DO programs have seen enrollment growth exceeding 30 percent over the past decade, reflecting growing interest in holistic medical approaches. If your passion is specifically eye care, optometry is the more direct route.
Beyond academic qualifications, certain personal traits set exceptional optometrists apart:
If you're seriously considering this career, here are my top recommendations based on years of working with healthcare professionals:
The typical pathway takes about eight years after high school: four years of undergraduate education followed by four years of optometry school. An optional one-year residency can extend this to nine years. Compared to becoming an ophthalmologist or an osteopathic medicine doctor pursuing a surgical specialty, the optometry pathway is relatively streamlined while still resulting in a doctoral-level degree.
Absolutely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average job growth for optometrists, driven by aging demographics and increasing prevalence of eye conditions related to diabetes and screen usage. Salaries are competitive, work-life balance is generally excellent, and there are diverse practice settings to choose from. We consistently see strong demand for optometrists on healthcareers.app.
Yes. All 50 states allow optometrists to prescribe topical ophthalmic medications, and most states also allow oral medications for certain eye-related conditions. The scope of practice varies by state, and legislative efforts continue to expand what optometrists can do. Some states now permit optometrists to perform certain minor surgical procedures as well.
Optometrists hold a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and provide primary eye care including exams, prescriptions, and disease management. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MD or DO) who complete additional years of surgical training and can perform eye surgeries. Many patients see an optometrist as their primary eye care provider and are referred to an ophthalmologist only when surgery or advanced intervention is needed.
Rural and underserved areas across the United States consistently have the highest demand for optometrists. States in the Midwest, South, and parts of Appalachia often have significant shortages. Communities of all sizes — from metropolitan areas to small towns — need qualified eye care professionals. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (hrsa.gov), many Health Professional Shortage Areas across the country include optometry as a needed discipline.
Optometry is a career that offers the rare combination of strong compensation, meaningful patient interactions, excellent work-life balance, and long-term job security. Whether you're a pre-optometry student mapping out your educational journey, a career changer exploring healthcare, or a current healthcare professional considering a pivot into eye care, I hope this guide has given you a clearer picture of what the field has to offer.
At healthcareers.app, we're committed to helping healthcare professionals at every stage of their careers find the right opportunities. Our platform features optometry positions across the country — from bustling urban practices to tight-knit rural communities. I encourage you to explore what's available and take the next step toward a career that truly makes a difference in people's lives. The future of optometry is bright, and there's never been a better time to be part of it.
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