The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.
Employment
Major employers:
- Ophthalmologists' and optometrists' offices
- Doctors' offices
- Eyeglass stores
Outlook
Demand for this career will be faster than average as the population grows and ages. The demand for vision care will increase as the population continues to age. In addition, as adults live longer they experience more eye problems, such as cataracts. More employees also have vision care as part of their health insurance.
This is a small career and very few job openings are expected. However, there are only a few optometry training programs and graduates should be able to find jobs. Those who are board-certified will have the best job prospects.
Optometrists (CIS 100144)
| Location | Employment | & | Growth | >>>> | Annual openings | |
| This occupation |
All occupations |
|||||
| Illinois |
1,351 Small |
& |
7.3% |
2.7% |
>>>> |
51 Very few |
| Champaign Area |
31 Very small |
& |
9.7% |
1.9% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area |
16 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
-1.2% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Cook County |
534 Small |
& |
3.4% |
3.0% |
>>>> |
18 Very few |
| Decatur Area |
7 Very small |
& |
28.6% |
0.1% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| DeKalb-Elgin-Aurora Area |
62 Very small |
& |
12.9% |
4.0% |
>>>> |
3 Very few |
| Du Page County |
184 Small |
& |
14.1% |
3.7% |
>>>> |
9 Very few |
| Edwardsville Area |
37 Very small |
& |
2.7% |
4.4% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area |
7 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
-2.2% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area |
16 Very small |
& |
0.0% |
-0.1% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Lake County |
66 Very small |
& |
-3.0% |
2.6% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| McHenry County |
24 Very small |
& |
8.3% |
6.1% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Mt Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area |
23 Very small |
& |
4.3% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Northwest Illinois Area |
16 Very small |
& |
6.3% |
5.1% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area |
48 Very small |
& |
18.8% |
1.3% |
>>>> |
2 Very few |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area |
14 Very small |
& |
7.1% |
-1.6% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Rock Island-Moline Area |
15 Very small |
& |
13.3% |
1.8% |
>>>> |
0 None |
| Rockford Area |
36 Very small |
& |
2.8% |
2.4% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Shawnee National Forest Area |
28 Very small |
& |
3.6% |
-0.3% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Springfield Area |
38 Very small |
& |
7.9% |
-0.8% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| St Louis-Belleville Area |
35 Very small |
& |
14.3% |
0.2% |
>>>> |
1 Very few |
| Will County |
105 Small |
& |
21.9% |
5.4% |
>>>> |
6 Very few |
| United States |
47,800 Small |
& |
7.9% |
3.1% |
>>>> |
2,400 Very few |