DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions. Ophthalmologists are included in “Physicians and Surgeons, All Other” (29-1069).

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to Third Quarter, 2012

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	820	244	$48.83/hr	$3.08/hr	$25.39/hr	$28.25/hr	$42.79/hr	$55.18/hr	>$80.00/hr
U S	27,950	811	$52.91/hr	$0.85/hr	$25.39/hr	$35.31/hr	$46.52/hr	$60.98/hr	>$80.00/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Leading Industries for Optometrists Industry OES Employment OES Median Wage Education and Health Services 710 $40.86/hr Trade, Transportation and Utilities 110 $54.42/hr

Other Regional Data For Optometrists Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change 2010 - 2020 Minnesota 820 $42.79/hr 30.9% Minneapolis-Saint Paul MN-WI MSA 570 $39.49/hr N/A Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 560 $39.19/hr 26.9% Northwest Balance of State 90 $44.40/hr N/A Northwest Minnesota 50 $44.72/hr 50.0% Southeast Balance of State 50 $50.29/hr N/A Southeast Minnesota 40 $53.75/hr 35.4% Southwest Minnesota 40 $53.55/hr 38.3% Central Minnesota 40 $52.25/hr 52.5% Northeast Minnesota 40 $39.98/hr 14.3% Duluth-Superior MN-WI MSA 30 $38.92/hr N/A Fargo-Moorhead ND-MN MSA 30 $52.34/hr N/A La Crosse WI-MN MSA 30 $45.01/hr N/A Southwest Balance of State 20 $46.00/hr N/A Saint Cloud MN MSA 20 $50.15/hr N/A Mankato-North Mankato, MN MetroSA 20 $60.48/hr N/A Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 10 N/A N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change 2010 - 2020
Dental Assistants	5,260	$20.80/hr	19.0%
Respiratory Therapists	1,560	$30.47/hr	24.8%
Physician Assistants	1,470	$44.83/hr	31.7%

• Prescribes eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids or therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
• Consults with and refers patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
• Prescribes medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
• Examines eyes to determine visual acuity and perception and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma and color blindness.