Optometrist Work Conditions

Optometrists held about 34,200 jobs in 2010. About half of optometrists work in stand-alone offices of optometry. Optometrists may also work in doctors’ offices, retail stores, outpatient clinics, and hospitals. Some optometrists are self-employed.

This topic continues below:

As shown in the following tabulation, 50 percent of optometrists were employed in offices of optometrists in 2010:

Offices of optometrists	50%
Self-employed workers	22%
Offices of physicians	13%
Health and personal care stores	8%
Outpatient care centers	2%

Most optometrists work full time. Some work evenings and weekends to suit patients’ needs.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition