Dosimetrist Career Guide: Role, Salary, Education, and How to Get Started
11 Apr, 2026
If you've ever wondered what degree does an optometrist need, you're asking one of the most important questions on the path to a rewarding healthcare career. I've helped thousands of healthcare professionals navigate their career journeys through healthcareers.app, and optometry is one of those fields that consistently attracts driven, science-minded individuals who want to make a tangible difference in patients' lives. The short answer is that optometrists need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited optometry program. But the full picture — from undergraduate prerequisites to licensure and beyond — is much more nuanced than a single degree title suggests.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through every educational milestone required to become a licensed optometrist, the timeline you can expect, costs and financial considerations, and how this career compares to other healthcare roles. Whether you're a high school student mapping out your future or a working professional considering a career change, this guide will give you the clarity you need.
Before you can enroll in an optometry program, you'll need to complete a bachelor's degree — or at minimum, complete the prerequisite coursework required by accredited optometry schools. Most successful applicants hold a four-year degree in a science-related field such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or pre-med. However, there's no single required undergraduate major.
The prerequisite courses typically include:
I always advise aspiring optometrists to check the specific prerequisites for each school they're interested in, as requirements can vary. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) maintains a comprehensive list of all 23 accredited O.D. programs in the United States, along with their individual admission requirements.
Much like the MCAT for medical school, optometry school requires applicants to take the Optometry Admission Test. The OAT is a standardized exam administered by the American Dental Association (yes, the same organization — the testing infrastructure is shared). The test covers:
A competitive OAT score, combined with a strong GPA (typically 3.3 or higher), relevant clinical experience, and solid letters of recommendation, will position you well for admission. I recommend taking the OAT during the spring or summer before your senior year of college so you have time to retake it if needed.
This is the core answer to what degree does an optometrist need: the Doctor of Optometry, or O.D. This is a four-year professional doctoral program that combines rigorous classroom instruction with extensive clinical training.
During the first two years, students typically focus on foundational coursework including:
The final two years shift heavily toward clinical rotations, where students examine real patients under supervision. These rotations may occur in optometry school clinics, hospitals, Veterans Affairs medical centers, community health centers, and private practices. This hands-on experience is critical — it's where you learn to diagnose conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and many other sight-threatening diseases.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), optometrists must complete this doctoral-level education before they can apply for licensure in any state. There are currently 23 accredited schools and colleges of optometry in the United States, so competition for seats is real but manageable with proper preparation.
After earning your O.D. degree, you must pass the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) examinations to become licensed. The NBEO exam consists of three parts:
Each state also has its own specific licensing requirements, which may include jurisprudence exams covering state-specific laws and regulations. Some states have broader scope-of-practice laws that allow optometrists to perform certain minor surgical procedures, while others are more restrictive.
While not required for general practice, completing a one-year residency after optometry school can be highly beneficial. Residency programs offer advanced training in specialties such as:
I've seen that optometrists who complete residencies often have more competitive job prospects and higher starting salaries, particularly in hospital settings and academic positions.
When you add it all up, the typical timeline to become a practicing optometrist is approximately 8 years after high school: four years of undergraduate education followed by four years of optometry school. If you pursue an optional residency, that extends the timeline to nine years.
Here's a quick breakdown:
One of the reasons I see so many healthcare job seekers drawn to optometry is the combination of strong compensation and excellent work-life balance. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for optometrists was approximately $125,590 as of their most recent data. The top 10 percent of earners in this field made over $191,000 annually.
The job outlook is also encouraging. The BLS projects employment of optometrists to grow by 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population with increasing vision care needs, greater awareness of eye health, and expanded scope-of-practice laws in several states are all driving demand.
On healthcareers.app, we regularly see optometry positions posted across a wide range of settings — from private practices and retail chains to hospitals, community health centers, and academic institutions.
Optometrists don't work in isolation. They're part of a larger healthcare ecosystem that includes ophthalmologists (medical doctors who specialize in eye surgery), ophthalmic technicians, opticians, and support staff. Understanding where you fit in this hierarchy is important for career planning.
While we're discussing healthcare career paths, it's worth noting how different roles contribute to patient care. The role of nurse aide, for example, is foundational in many clinical settings. Nurse aides — also known as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) — provide essential direct patient care including bathing, feeding, mobility assistance, and vital sign monitoring. While optometry and nursing assistance are very different career paths, both illustrate the diverse range of opportunities available in healthcare, from entry-level positions to doctoral-level professions.
I've worked with many professionals who started as nurse aides and later pursued advanced education in other healthcare specialties, including optometry. Understanding the role of nurse aide gives aspiring healthcare professionals valuable perspective on patient-centered care, regardless of which specialty they ultimately choose.
Another aspect of healthcare careers that candidates often overlook is the wide variety of scheduling models. In dental and vision care settings, for instance, practices like 7 o'clock dental appointments have become increasingly common as providers compete for patients who work traditional 9-to-5 jobs. Many optometry offices similarly offer early morning, evening, and weekend hours to accommodate patient demand. This means that while optometry generally offers better work-life balance than many healthcare careers, new graduates should be prepared for some flexibility in scheduling, especially in their first few years of practice or if working in retail optometry settings where 7 o'clock dental-style early and extended hours are the norm across the building.
I believe in being transparent about the financial realities of healthcare education. The cost of earning an O.D. degree is significant. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, annual tuition at accredited optometry programs ranges from approximately $20,000 to over $50,000 per year, depending on whether you attend a public or private institution and whether you qualify for in-state tuition.
Over four years, total tuition costs alone can range from $80,000 to over $200,000. When you factor in undergraduate education, living expenses, and other fees, many new optometrists graduate with $200,000 to $300,000 or more in student debt.
However, the strong salary potential — combined with loan repayment programs, especially for those who practice in underserved areas — makes this investment manageable for most graduates. The National Health Service Corps, for example, offers loan repayment assistance to optometrists who commit to serving in Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Based on my experience advising healthcare professionals through healthcareers.app, here are my top tips for aspiring optometrists:
Technically, some optometry schools will accept applicants who have completed the required prerequisite coursework without having earned a bachelor's degree. However, this is increasingly rare, and the vast majority of admitted students hold at least a bachelor's degree. I strongly recommend completing your undergraduate degree, as it makes you a more competitive applicant and provides a valuable educational foundation.
An optometrist holds a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree and provides primary vision care, including eye exams, prescribing corrective lenses, and diagnosing and treating certain eye diseases. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who has completed a residency in ophthalmology and can perform eye surgery. According to the National Institutes of Health (nih.gov), both professionals play critical but distinct roles in eye care, and they often work collaboratively.
Annual tuition for accredited O.D. programs ranges from approximately $20,000 at public institutions with in-state tuition to over $50,000 at private schools. Total educational costs, including undergraduate education and living expenses, often result in $200,000 to $300,000 or more in total debt. However, the median salary of over $125,000 and available loan repayment programs help make this investment worthwhile for most graduates.
Absolutely. With a projected job growth rate of 9 percent through 2032 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, strong compensation, relatively favorable work-life balance compared to many other healthcare professions, and the satisfaction of directly improving patients' quality of life, optometry remains an excellent career choice. We see consistent demand for optometrists on healthcareers.app across virtually every region of the country.
The most common and effective undergraduate majors include biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and other health sciences. However, any major is acceptable as long as you complete the required prerequisite coursework. Some students major in non-science fields like psychology or business and still gain admission to top optometry programs by excelling in their science prerequisites.
Understanding what degree does an optometrist need is the essential first step toward launching a fulfilling career in eye care. The path requires dedication — a bachelor's degree, a Doctor of Optometry program, licensure exams, and potentially a residency — but the rewards are substantial. From a competitive salary and strong job growth to the profound satisfaction of helping patients see the world more clearly, optometry offers a career that's both professionally and personally fulfilling.
At healthcareers.app, we're committed to helping you navigate every stage of your healthcare career journey. Whether you're just starting to explore the question of what degree you need or you're a newly licensed optometrist searching for your first position, we're here to connect you with the opportunities and resources you deserve. Start exploring optometry and other healthcare positions on our platform today, and take the next step toward the career you've been envisioning.
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