Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
None
Internship/residency
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Ophthalmologists, except pediatric, are highly trained medical specialists whose work requires advanced education and a strong, diverse skill set. This occupation has national employment of 12,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 4.3%, suggesting continued professional demand. The role calls for a balance of science knowledge, critical and analytical thinking, and fine motor skills, combined with strong interpersonal and customer service abilities. Detail orientation and problem solving are also central, supported by solid writing and reading skills for documentation and communication. Leadership and adaptability further enhance success in this field, particularly as professionals navigate complex clinical decisions and evolving environments. With related options such as orthopedic surgeons, pediatric surgeons, surgeons (all other), oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and nurse anesthetists, this career sits within a broader family of advanced clinical professions that require substantial training and offer specialized paths for people committed to intensive, expert-level practice in healthcare.
For ophthalmologists, except pediatric, salaries vary significantly across states and metro areas, offering a range of earning potential. Among top states, median annual salaries span from $288,050 in Colorado to $400,150 in California, with Massachusetts, New York, and Washington also providing high median pay levels. At the metro level, compensation can be even higher. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro stands out with a median salary of $700,850, the highest among the listed areas. Other metros such as Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GA; Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX; Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH; and Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN offer median salaries ranging from $284,630 to $412,900. These figures indicate that geographic choice can have a major impact on earnings for this occupation, and that some metropolitan regions may present particularly strong financial opportunities for qualified professionals.
Ophthalmologists, except pediatric, have a national employment level of 12,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 4.3%. This growth rate appears consistently across the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting broadly similar projected expansion in many regions. The data also show 0 annual openings, which indicates that current information does not quantify yearly hiring needs for this occupation. Even with that figure, the presence of a positive projected growth rate points to an expanding workforce over time rather than contraction. For individuals exploring long-term career paths, the combination of existing employment and projected growth offers a view of a specialized field with continued demand. Those considering related careers such as orthopedic surgeons, pediatric surgeons, surgeons (all other), oral and maxillofacial surgeons, or nurse anesthetists can use this information as one point of comparison when evaluating potential stability and growth across advanced clinical roles.
Location plays a major role in the opportunity profile for ophthalmologists, except pediatric, with notable differences among states and metro areas. California leads the states by opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $400,150 and employment of 820. Massachusetts and New York follow closely, both with similar projected growth of 4.3% but different balances of salary and employment; New York has higher employment (960) and a median salary of $360,050, while Massachusetts offers $325,200 with 450 employed. Colorado and Washington round out the top states with opportunity scores in the mid-50s and median salaries between $288,050 and $304,830. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA stands out with the highest opportunity score (77.42) and a median salary of $700,850, though with smaller employment of 60. Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH and Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–IN offer larger employment bases (330 and 510) with somewhat lower salaries, illustrating trade-offs between pay, job concentration, and overall opportunity.
The typical education requirement for ophthalmologists, except pediatric, is a doctoral or professional degree. This advanced level of education aligns with the complex, specialized nature of the work and the need to integrate scientific knowledge, clinical judgment, and hands-on expertise. Success in this occupation is supported by a broad mix of skills. Science knowledge underpins understanding of conditions and treatments, while critical and analytical thinking and problem solving support sound decision making. Fine motor skills are important for precise, detailed tasks, and being detail oriented helps ensure accuracy. Strong writing and reading skills contribute to clear documentation and effective information use. Interpersonal and customer service skills support work with patients and colleagues, and leadership helps guide teams and manage responsibilities. Adaptability is also valuable as professionals navigate changing situations. Together, the doctoral or professional degree and this skill set form the foundation for entry and growth in this field.
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