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Optometrist
Optometrists, not to be confused with ophthalmologists, perform similar duties, but do not have medical degrees and perform surgery. Optometrists diagnose and treat eye disease, in some states perform minor surgery, and they issue prescriptions for eyeglasses and contacts.
Because of the aging baby boomer population, there will be many job opportunities for optometrists. The increased use of corrective laser surgery has decreased demand for optometrists, but future demand for optometrist services will continue to exist. Optometrists do not have to perform complicated surgery or develop complicated solutions to vision problems since most problems are corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or minor surgery.
Since there are so many people wanting to begin optometrist careers, it can be difficult to get accepted to optometry school. Most optometrists are self employed, so it is helpful to have marketing and networking skills to build a clientele. Conducting free vision screenings in malls or department stores can be an effective marketing tactic.
Salary Data
Median (8 years of experience): $103,000
25-75 percentile (8 or more years of experience): $86,500-124,000
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