Military Optometrists
Military Career
General Information
Description
Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams, during which they check patients’ eyes for common eye diseases, assess how their eyes work together as a team, and evaluate their eyes as an indicator of their overall health. They also provide vision correction through vision training, glasses, or contact lenses. They see service members of all ages and stages of vision development and degeneration, and refer patients with eye diseases to ophthalmologists.
Explore this career outside the MilitaryWork Environment
Optometrists work in clinics and hospitals.
Workplace at a Glance
What you can expect to experience while on the job
- Responsibility
- Exposure to job hazards
- Physical activity
- Decision making
- Repetitiveness
- Level of competition
- Time pressure
Comparable Industries
- Health Science
Military Outlook
Service Branches
Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Air Force
Coast Guard
Space ForceMilitary Status
- Officer
- Managerial/professional
- College degree required
Military Workforce
Optometrists in the Military
360
Salary
Salary Information
Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$88,823
Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.
$28,603 - $247,184
What makes up a Military salary?
Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.
They also offer:
- Housing allowances
- Subsistence allowances
- Special and incentive pays
- Cost-of-living allowances
- Hazardous-duty pay
- Bonuses
Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator
Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits
Education
Most Common Education Levels
People in this career achieve this level of education.
-
Doctoral degree 95%
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First professional degree 4%
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High school 0%
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Some college 0%
-
Master's degree 0%
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Bachelor's degree 0%
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Associate's degree 0%
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Post baccalaureate 0%
-
Less than high school 0%
-
Post-doctoral training 0%
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Post-master's certificate 0%
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Post-secondary certificate 0%
Military training
Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for optometrists primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development.
Read MoreSkills at a Glance
Skills helpful in this career
- Verbal skills
- Critical thinking & problem solving
- Equipment operation & maintenance
- Math & science skills
- Technology design & control
- Leadership
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- Biology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
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