Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric salary by state
Perform comprehensive examinations of the visual system to determine the nature or extent of ocular disorders.
Diagnose or treat injuries, disorders, or diseases of the eye and eye structures including the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, or eyelids.
Provide or direct the provision of postoperative care.
Develop or implement plans and procedures for ophthalmologic services.
Prescribe or administer topical or systemic medications to treat ophthalmic conditions and to manage pain.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWritingSpeakingSocial Perceptiveness
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric pay by experience level
Entry level$103,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$179,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$310,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$436,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$507,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+4.3%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
300
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric salary by industry
Ambulatory Health Care Services
7,700 workers
$324,000
Offices of Physicians
6,750 workers
$324,500
Hospitals
750 workers
$286,500
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
750 workers
$286,500
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
650 workers
$264,000
Hospitals, Privately Owned
620 workers
$310,000
Outpatient Care Centers
300 workers
$429,000
Educational Services
260 workers
$237,000
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
260 workers
$237,000
Educational Services, State Government Owned
200 workers
$220,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric pays 95% above the average across 91 roles in the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical job family (family average $162,000).
Similar-paying roles in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric make?
The average base salary for a Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric in the United States is $315,500 per year, or about $151.68 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $180,000 and $436,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical roles?
The Healthcare Practitioners and Technical job family averages $162,000 across 91 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
