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Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeHigh pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $300,080 Median per year · $144.27/hr Most earn $100,180–$489,710

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
  • 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.
  • Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.
  • Provide ophthalmic consultation to other medical professionals.
  • Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.

Job outlook

United States
5% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Offices of physicians71.0%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals7.7%
  • Offices of optometrists6.6%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.7%
  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools3.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 4 to 6 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Doctoral or professional degreeExperience before this job: 4 to 6 years

This is not an entry-level job. Becoming an ophthalmologist usually takes a bachelor's degree, a medical degree, and several years of hands-on training in a residency, so expect roughly 12 years of school and training after high school. It is a long road, but many people take it one step at a time.

  1. Bachelor's degree in a science such as biology or chemistry

    4 years

    You build the science foundation and complete the prerequisite courses that medical schools require, while keeping your grades strong.

  2. Medical degree (MD or DO)

    4 years

    You learn medicine broadly, including anatomy, disease, and patient care, then choose ophthalmology as your specialty path.

  3. Ophthalmology residency

    4 years

    You train under experienced eye doctors, learning to diagnose eye conditions and perform eye surgeries with supervision, which prepares you to practice on your own.

  4. Ophthalmologist

    Ongoing

    After residency and passing your licensing exams, you diagnose and treat eye disorders, perform surgery, and manage eye care for patients.

Where it can lead

  1. Medical Director, Ophthalmology Practice

    5-10 years of experience first

    You take on leadership of a clinic or surgery center, overseeing other doctors, quality of care, and daily operations alongside your patient work.

  2. Department Chair, Ophthalmology

    10+ years of experience first

    You lead an eye department at a hospital or medical school, guiding staff, training residents, and shaping research and patient care.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take biology, chemistry, and advanced mathThese classes build the science and reasoning skills you will need for medical school prerequisites.
  • Join a science or health clubClubs like HOSA (Future Health Professionals) or a science club show you the health field and give you leadership experience.
  • Volunteer at a hospital or clinicVolunteering shows you what patient care is like and looks good on future school applications.
  • Get a starter jobA part-time job teaches responsibility and communication, which matter a lot in medicine.
  • Ask a doctor for an informational interviewTalking with an eye doctor or medical staff member helps you learn the real day-to-day work and whether it fits you.

In college

  • Major in biology, chemistry, or another scienceA science major covers most medical school prerequisites and builds the knowledge you need for the MCAT and medical school.
  • Get shadowing or clinical experienceShadowing eye doctors or working as a medical scribe or clinic assistant shows medical schools you understand the work.
  • Work in a campus research labResearch experience builds critical thinking and is valued by medical schools, especially for specialties like ophthalmology.
  • Join a pre-health student organizationPre-med or pre-health clubs offer advising, speakers, and community service that help you plan your path.
  • Volunteer with patientsVolunteering at a hospital, clinic, or community health event builds empathy and shows commitment to patient care.

Tips for getting started

  • Take strong science and math classes now, since medical schools look closely at your grades in biology, chemistry, and physics.
  • Find a way to see eye doctors at work, such as by shadowing an ophthalmologist or asking about job-shadowing programs through your school or local clinics.
  • Consider a career step like ophthalmic medical technician (certificate, about 2-4 years of related experience) if you want to work in eye care sooner and learn the field firsthand.

Related jobs that often lead here

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

  • Medicine Professional degree: typical pay 1 year after finishing $65,192 a year · typical debt $207,472

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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