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Occupation · SOC 29-1041

Optometrists

There are 42,790 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $136,570 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

HealthcareTypical education: Doctoral or professional degree
42,790
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$136,570
Median pay a year
Middle half: $109,400–$165,120
2,000
Annual openings
10-year change: +9.5%
106
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 185 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $161,030 · LCA filings 142,580$161,03014
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $138,940 · LCA filings 02,360$138,9400
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $124,640 · LCA filings 01,250$124,6400
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $142,580 · LCA filings 31,180$142,5803
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $145,630 · LCA filings 51,160$145,6305
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $153,980 · LCA filings 1890$153,9801
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $140,790 · LCA filings 1870$140,7901
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $115,960 · LCA filings 4860$115,9604
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $125,530 · LCA filings 8820$125,5308
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $154,690 · LCA filings 1770$154,6901

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
La Crosse–Onalaska, WI–MNEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$175,810400
Asheville, NCEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$167,980400
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 420 · LCA filings 2$167,8104202
Anchorage, AKEmployment 30 · LCA filings 1$167,000301
Durham–Chapel Hill, NCEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$166,880400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 9 · Employment 2,5801492,580
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 82083820
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployers with LCA filings 3 · Employment 1,160531,160
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHEmployers with LCA filings 5 · Employment 71055710
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLEmployers with LCA filings 2 · Employment 29052290

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $134,368 · Level III $157,123 · Level IV $179,858$111,634$134,368$157,123$179,858
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $120,411 · Level III $143,333 · Level IV $166,254$97,490$120,411$143,333$166,254
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $108,888 · Level III $124,738 · Level IV $140,587$93,038$108,888$124,738$140,587
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $130,166 · Level III $151,923 · Level IV $173,659$108,430$130,166$151,923$173,659
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $121,139 · Level III $144,102 · Level IV $167,086$98,155$121,139$144,102$167,086
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $124,821 · Level III $148,720 · Level IV $172,640$100,901$124,821$148,720$172,640
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $109,221 · Level III $132,392 · Level IV $155,563$86,050$109,221$132,392$155,563
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $116,064 · Level III $133,619 · Level IV $151,154$98,530$116,064$133,619$151,154
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $104,229 · Level III $134,160 · Level IV $164,112$74,277$104,229$134,160$164,112
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $114,442 · Level III $150,966 · Level IV $187,491$77,917$114,442$150,966$187,491
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $132,891 · Level III $156,021 · Level IV $179,150$109,762$132,891$156,021$179,150
Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, FLLevel II $123,302 · Level III $148,429 · Level IV $173,555$98,176$123,302$148,429$173,555

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
OptometryCIP 51.17OPT · up to 12 months139OPT · up to 12 months
Biology, GeneralCIP 26.01 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months4,172STEM OPT · up to 36 months
Physiology, Pathology and Related SciencesCIP 26.09 · Usually needs more educationSTEM OPT · up to 36 months840STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Optometrists in every metro area

All 185 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology