Headline risk
1%
Very Low RiskOptometrists
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 134,830
Employment 2024
47.8K
Projected Change (2024–34)
8.0%
Openings (2024–34)
2.4K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. 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. AI use: 0%
- 2. Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan. AI use: 0%
- 3. Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit. AI use: 0%
- 4. Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids. AI use: 0%
- 5. Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors. AI use: 0%
- 6. Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
10/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system, including examining eyes and prescribing corrective lenses.
Most optometrists work in offices or in optical goods stores. Optometrists usually work full time, but part-time work is common. Schedules may vary to include evenings and weekends.
Optometrists typically need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, which take 4 years of graduate-level study to complete. Every state requires optometrists to be licensed.
The median annual wage for optometrists was $134,830 in May 2024.
Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.