Best Careers: Optometrist

The rundown:

They're often referred to as "doctors of optometry," but as an optometrist, you won't have an M.D., but rather a Doctor of Optometry degree (O.D.) from a school of optometry. Optometrists are healthcare professionals who treat a wide variety of eye problems. They prescribe lenses for nearsighted and farsighted people, diagnose and treat visual problems such as glaucoma or a scratched cornea, and refer patients for laser-eye surgery, among other duties. Many optometrists specialize in particular areas—eye care for infants and the elderly is in high demand, for example, and some optometrists work with athletes on sports-related visual problems.

[See a list of The 50 Best Careers.]

The outlook:

The American population is quickly becoming more elderly. So demand for visual aids is expected to grow considerably. But eye-care technology is improving as well, allowing each optometrist to care for more patients. Still, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects more than 24 percent growth, or 8,500 new jobs, for the profession through 2018.

Money:

The bottom 10 percent of optometrists earn less than $48,240, while the top earners make more than $166,400. The annual median wage in 2009 was $96,140 . Vermont and Washington state have the highest average wage for optometrists.

Upward mobility:

The more independent you are, and the longer you practice, the more you will earn, generally speaking. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, self-employed optometrists earn well above the average for the profession, while those who work for optical chains or in practices of six or more optometrists earn less. Those who practice for between 26 and 30 years earn an average of $70,000 more annually than those in practice for six to 10 years.

Activity level:

Emergency calls are rare, so optometrists have a slightly lower activity level than many medical professionals. But there aren't many optometrists in the country, so you might be quite busy during regular working hours.

[See a list of the best healthcare careers.]

Stress level:

Moderate. Many optometrists get to be their own bosses, as the majority work in private practice. But that freedom can create stress—you might be working extra hours to handle the nuts and bolts of your business.

Education and preparation:

Don't overrate the fact that you don't have to go to medical school to be an optometrist. Becoming an optometrist is still quite competitive, as there are only 20 schools that teach optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico. These are four-year institutions at universities that all require a bachelor's degree for applicants. Each school has its own additional admission requirements. According to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, during undergraduate years an applicant should take "at least a year of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, general physics, and microbiology; English; college mathematics; and other social science and humanities courses."

[Find online degree programs in healthcare.]

Real advice from real people about landing a job as an optometrist:

Networking should be the number one goal for job-seeking optometrists, says Dr. Barbara Horn, independent practitioner and chair of the American Optometric Association's Clinical & Practice Advancement Group Executive Committee. "Get involved early as an optometry student and become a member of the AOA and your state affiliate organization. Networking is key, so don't overlook participation in local optometric societies as well," she says. Also, if you specialize in an area, like sports or geriatric vision, be sure to target practices that don't already offer those services. Often, new skills are sought after. "If you bring a different speciality into a practice, you can grow that practice," she says. For online job seekers, Horn recommends the AOA's Optometry Career Center, the Monster.com of the optometry profession.

Suggested job searches: Vision Service Assistant jobs | Optometrist jobs | Optician Licensed-Dispensing jobs | Eye Doctor jobs