Career Paths From Optometrists

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Ophthalmologists, Except PediatricLateral Move95.2% skill match
Optometrists and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 120% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$300,080
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
ChiropractorsLateral Move96.6% skill match
Optometrists and Chiropractors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Chiropractors sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 42% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$79,200
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
Emergency Medicine PhysiciansLateral Move95.7% skill match
Optometrists and Emergency Medicine Physicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Emergency Medicine Physicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 146% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$335,550
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
AnesthesiologistsLateral Move94.9% skill match
Optometrists and Anesthesiologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Anesthesiologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 187% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$391,490
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
Medical DosimetristsLateral Move96.3% skill match
Optometrists and Medical Dosimetrists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Medical Dosimetrists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 8% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$147,470
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
4
Registered NursesLateral Move95% skill match
Optometrists and Registered Nurses share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Registered Nurses sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 29% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$97,550
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
4
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsCareer Change95.9% skill match
Optometrists and Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 16% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$115,160
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
4
Zoologists and Wildlife BiologistsCareer Change95.4% skill match
Optometrists and Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 44% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$76,780
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
4
Conservation ScientistsCareer Change96.3% skill match
Optometrists and Conservation Scientists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Conservation Scientists is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (4 vs 5). Median salary is about 47% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$73,010
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
4
DermatologistsLateral Move0% skill match
Optometrists and Dermatologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Dermatologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 141% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$328,730
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
General Internal Medicine PhysiciansLateral Move0% skill match
Optometrists and General Internal Medicine Physicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). General Internal Medicine Physicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 88% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$256,560
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
Dietetic TechniciansLateral Move97.1% skill match
Optometrists and Dietetic Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (97% match). Dietetic Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 5). Median salary is about 72% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$37,640
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
3
Fire Inspectors and InvestigatorsCareer Change98.1% skill match
Optometrists and Fire Inspectors and Investigators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (98% match). Fire Inspectors and Investigators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (3 vs 5). Median salary is about 44% lower.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$75,920
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
3
Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsLateral Move0% skill match
Optometrists and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 158% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$352,220
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5
NeurologistsLateral Move0% skill match
Optometrists and Neurologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (0% match). Neurologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 82% higher.
Current median salary
$136,570
Target median salary
$248,560
Current Job Zone
5
Target Job Zone
5

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.