To become an optometrist in the US, you'll need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, which takes 4 years, usually after a bachelor's degree, then a state license. In the UK, you'll need a master's degree in optometry approved by the General Optical Council (GOC), a 1-year supervised pre-registration placement and the GOC final assessment.
It's a doctoral-level career in the US, and pay reflects that. The surprise is how much it varies depending on where you work.
US figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook and the UK route from the National Careers Service, both read on 26 October 2026. This is a careers guide about training, licensing and pay, not eye health advice.
Optometrist pay and jobs in the US
| Measure | BLS figure |
|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $136,570 a year, $65.66 an hour |
| Lowest 10 in every 100 earned less than | $74,870 |
| Highest 10 in every 100 earned more than | $202,180 |
| Jobs in 2025 | 45,100 |
| Projected growth 2025 to 2035 | 10%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 2,000 on average |
Those pay figures are as of October 2026, from the May 2025 BLS wage survey.
The US route to practice
- Complete undergraduate study. O.D. programs need at least 3 years of undergraduate education, and most applicants have a bachelor's degree in a field such as biology or physical science. Programs that don't require a set major may ask for chemistry, physics and calculus.
- Take the entrance exam. It covers four areas: natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics and quantitative reasoning.
- Earn the O.D. degree. Programs take 4 years and combine coursework with supervised clinical experience.
- Pass the licensing exam. Every state requires optometrists to be licensed, and some add an exam on clinical skills or optometry law.
- Consider a residency. Some optometrists choose 1 year of advanced clinical training in an area such as primary care, cornea and contact lenses or ocular disease.
All states require continuing education and periodic license renewal, and board certification is an optional extra that needs another exam.
Where you work changes the pay more than people expect
Most optometrists work in offices of optometrists, but the highest median pay BLS lists is elsewhere.
| Employer | Share of jobs | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Offices of optometrists | 61% | $129,250 |
| Offices of physicians | 14 in every 100 | $145,630 |
| Retail trade | 13 in every 100 | $159,250 |
| Outpatient care centers | 4 in every 100 | $207,030 |
So an optometrist in an outpatient care center earned a median of $207,030 against $129,250 in an optometry office, as of October 2026. Retail settings, such as stores that sell eyeglasses, also paid more than private offices. If income matters to you, look beyond the traditional practice when you start applying.
Schedules and setting
Most optometrists work full time, but part-time work is common, and schedules can include evenings and weekends. You'll work mainly in exam rooms. If you end up running a practice, these marketing strategies for optometrists cover how independents attract patients.
The UK route: GOC registration
- Get a postgraduate master's degree in optometry approved by the GOC. You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English, maths and science, and 3 A levels including at least 1 science.
- Complete a 1-year pre-registration placement under a registered optometrist.
- Pass the GOC final assessment and register with the GOC.
If you already work as a dispensing optician, you could retrain by completing an approved optometry degree and pre-registration year. Contacting high street opticians about work experience is a practical first step. The National Careers Service gives UK salaries of £40,000 a year for starters and £65,000 for experienced optometrists, as of October 2026. Opticians use plenty of written communication too, and these prompts for opticians show how practices handle it.
Skills optometry courses look for
- Knowledge of biology and of health conditions that can affect sight
- Analytical thinking and sound reasoning
- Careful attention to detail
- Customer service and clear communication
- Sensitivity and understanding with patients of every age
In the UK, you'll also need to pass enhanced background checks, because you may work with children and vulnerable adults. Volunteering in the NHS can give you healthcare experience before you apply, which helps your application for a competitive course.
Specialising and moving up
In the UK, you could specialise in age-related issues such as macular degeneration or glaucoma, work with young children or people who are partially sighted, take a senior hospital role, teach optometry students or move into eye health research. BLS expects demand to grow as the US population ages, because sight problems tend to become more common later in life.
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My verdict
Optometry is a long training path in the US, roughly a bachelor's plus 4 years of O.D. study, but it leads to one of the better-paid healthcare careers outside medicine, with strong growth ahead. Plan your prerequisites early, prepare for the entrance exam, and when you qualify, compare pay across settings rather than assuming a private office is the only option. In the UK, the GOC-approved master's and pre-registration year are the route, and working as a dispensing optician is a sensible way in.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become an optometrist?
In the US, O.D. programs take 4 years, and applicants need at least 3 years of undergraduate study, usually a bachelor's degree. In the UK, you complete a GOC-approved master's degree and a 1-year pre-registration placement.
Do optometrists need a license?
Yes. All US states require optometrists to be licensed. In the UK, you'll need to register with the General Optical Council.
How much do optometrists make?
BLS reports a median of $136,570 a year in May 2025. In the UK, the National Careers Service gives £40,000 for starters and £65,000 for experienced optometrists, as of October 2026.
What subjects are on the optometry entrance exam?
The exam covers natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics and quantitative reasoning.
Can a dispensing optician become an optometrist?
Yes. In the UK, a dispensing optician can retrain by completing an approved optometry degree and pre-registration year.
Where do optometrists earn the most?
Among the settings BLS lists, outpatient care centers had the highest median pay, $207,030 in May 2025.
Do optometrists work weekends?
Schedules can include evenings and weekends, and part-time work is common.
Can optometrists specialize?
Yes. After the O.D., some take 1 year of advanced clinical training in areas such as primary care, cornea and contact lenses or ocular disease.
