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Career Profile

Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric

What they do:

Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.

Also Called:

Clinical Ophthalmologist, Cornea Specialist, Glaucoma Specialist, Oculoplastic Specialist, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, Ophthalmologist Specialist, Physician, Retina Specialist, Surgical Ophthalmologist, Clinical Ophthalmologist, Cornea Specialist, Glaucoma Specialist, Oculoplastic Specialist, Ophthalmic Surgeon, Ophthalmologist, Ophthalmologist Specialist, Physician, Retina Specialist, Surgical Ophthalmologist

CA Employment Data

*State data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$99,040
Starting Salary (2025)
$400,150
Median Salary (2025)
4.3%
Projected Job Growth
820
CA Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
Document or evaluate patients' medical histories.
Educate patients about maintenance and promotion of healthy vision.
Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
Perform, order, or interpret the results of diagnostic or clinical tests.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Investigative
Studying, Research based work
Social
Working with people
Realistic
Practical, Physical Work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Stress Tolerance
Analytical Thinking
Self-Control

What key skills are needed for this job?

Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Complex Problem Solving
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness

Expected Knowledge

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Common Activities

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 5

Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Post-doctoral training 42%
  • Doctoral degree 20%
  • Post-baccalaureate certificate 14%
  • Professional degree 14%
  • Post-secondary certificate 10%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

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Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Cardiologists
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Dermatologists

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.