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Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$300,080

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$100k – $490k

Job outlook

+4% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

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Education

Typical entry: Doctorate / professional (MD, JD, PhD)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$90,200–$411,000

Time to qualify

8.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    Doctoral / professional degree (PhD, MD, JD…)

    Degree

    Three to seven years beyond the bachelor's. PhDs are often funded with a stipend; MD and JD programs are among the most expensive.

    $50,000–$260,000 · 4 years source

  3. 3

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

    Entry / Junior

    $100,180

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

    Established

    $300,080

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

    Senior

    $394,895

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
  • •Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
  • •Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
  • •Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
  • •Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.