SOC 29-1041
Optometrists
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ30/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ41,890
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$135K
$70K โ $203K
Projected Growth
๐+8%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค74/100
High exposure
๐ก Optometrists face a risk score of 30/100 โ 14 points below the national average of 44. With 74/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $135K ($89K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 30/100, Optometrists faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like natural language processing for clinical documentation are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 41,890 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in emergency triage requiring rapid human judgment and empathetic patient communication and bedside manner to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Optometrists?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
Natural language processing for clinical documentation
Administrative automation of medical billing and coding
Generative AI producing marketing and creative copy
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Emergency triage requiring rapid human judgment
Empathetic patient communication and bedside manner
Complex clinical judgment in ambiguous presentations
Interdisciplinary care coordination
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
๐ป Technology Skills
Medical software
Accounting software
Data base user interface and query software
Spreadsheet software
Word processing software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Medicine and Dentistry
Biology
Customer and Personal Service
English Language
Mathematics
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 79% |
| Dentists, General | 24 | $173K | 72% |
| Podiatrists | 28 | $153K | 79% |