"Starting" salaries 4 OD

QbanOD · Oct 5, 2008

Alright man, Im gonna ask this question which a lot have asked, yet dont seem to get a clear answer. Ok Im from Houston, TX and I want to know what would be my starting salary fresh out of finishing my OD/Residency. Lets say working at a "Hospital". :luck:

songaila · Oct 5, 2008

I am no experts. However, USAJOBS.com has all the federal optometrist jobs. The range is between 54-110G with great bennies. This site also lists all the VA hospital jobs(since you indicate "hospital" work." Do note that Houston is saturated with optometrist because of the school.

If you really wanna stay in Houston, you are probably looking at lower starting salary than somebody who is willing to work in El peso.

QbanOD · Oct 5, 2008

Thanxx a lot, I still cant get through the fact that studying for 8 years can only get u a starting salary of 50K or even 80k, it doesnt seem logical for a doctor???....

drbizzaro · Oct 5, 2008

QbanOD said:
Thanxx a lot, I still cant get through the fact that studying for 8 years can only get u a starting salary of 50K or even 80k, it doesnt seem logical for a doctor???....

70-80K is what most websites will quote

songaila · Oct 5, 2008

Well, QbanOD, don't be discouraged. The 50G is the absolutely lowest of the "government OD" starting salary. The figure will quickly rise to six digits. Also, the benefits of the "government" job is different than the private practice. If you count the retirement and other bennies and future advancement, it may be in the 70-80G range.

The question is if you are willing to sell your soul to the wally world and the America's worst alike. I believe if you work like dog for six days a week, you can break your 120G mark easily.

You can do a search on the forum and you will find out why "commercial" optometry is hated on the forum. I have no comment on this since I am not a practicing optometrist.

I honestly think it's a great profession. I have nothing but respect for ODs.

However, I have to say dentistry and even American Medical Asssociates do a much better job at protecting its memebers. For optometrists, you have to really go for a market that is not saturated which is not necessarily the easiest thing to do.

blysssful · Oct 5, 2008

QbanOD said:
Thanxx a lot, I still cant get through the fact that studying for 8 years can only get u a starting salary of 50K or even 80k, it doesnt seem logical for a doctor???....

How much do you know about how much doctors really make? If you're asking about "starting salaries" consider MDs going through residency. Their starting salaries are not exactly envy-worthy. However, there is room for growth (the link shows an estimate of optometrists' salaries in Houston).

If you're looking to be a millionaire, become a ruthless businessman on Wall Street.

jersey9000 · Oct 5, 2008

blysssful said:
How much do you know about how much doctors really make? If you're asking about "starting salaries" consider MDs going through residency. Their starting salaries are not exactly envy-worthy. However, there is room for growth (the link shows an estimate of optometrists' salaries in Houston).

If you're looking to be a millionaire, become a ruthless businessman on Wall Street.

1. Surgeons

: $177,690
2. Anesthesiologists

: $174,240
3. Obstetricians and Gynecologists

: $171,810
4. Orthodontists

: $163,410
5. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

: $160,660
6. Internists, General

: $156,550
7. Psychiatrists

: $146,150
8. Prosthodontists

: $146,080
9. Family and General Practitioners: $140,370
10. Chief Executives

: $139,810

songaila · Oct 5, 2008

Ummm, I don't think the "wall street" argument is valid in this day and age. 95% of business fail in the first five years or something like that. At least with health care you always get a job. There is no "wall street" now and small business is as tough as "making it big" in health care.(probably much much tougher)

I am also not sure about the above link on salary. I don't know any anesthesiologists make less than 200G.

jersey9000 · Oct 6, 2008

songaila said:
Ummm, I don't think the "wall street" argument is valid in this day and age. 95% of business fail in the first five years or something like that. At least with health care you always get a job. There is no "wall street" now and small business is as tough as "making it big" in health care.(probably much much tougher)

I am also not sure about the above link on salary. I don't know any anesthesiologists make less than 200G.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/Careers/02/12/cb.big.bucks/index.html

songaila · Oct 6, 2008

Well, I did see the link before I post. No anesthesiologist or orthodontics is gonna take less than 200G.........

blysssful · Oct 6, 2008

songaila said:
Ummm, I don't think the "wall street" argument is valid in this day and age. 95% of business fail in the first five years or something like that. At least with health care you always get a job. There is no "wall street" now and small business is as tough as "making it big" in health care.(probably much much tougher)

I am also not sure about the above link on salary. I don't know any anesthesiologists make less than 200G.

The chances of "making it big" on Wall Street are probably just as great as becoming a famous musician or actor. I was just stating that if money is all QbanOD is after (which it seems like it is, based on other posts), then s/he should find a different profession.

The averages you see on anesthesiologists' salaries are just that: averages. Meaning that many people make less than the average. However, every average salary I've seen for anesthesiologists is usually between $250,000 and $300,000.

QbanOD · Oct 6, 2008

blysssful said:
The chances of "making it big" on Wall Street are probably just as great as becoming a famous musician or actor. I was just stating that if money is all QbanOD is after (which it seems like it is, based on other posts), then s/he should find a different profession.

The averages you see on anesthesiologists' salaries are just that: averages. Meaning that many people make less than the average. However, every average salary I've seen for anesthesiologists is usually between $250,000 and $300,000.

Hey man, let me clear this out for you because I guess you need "extra" explanation of my own questions. I appreciate you trying to help and stuff, but if you dont have any useful information for me then please keep it to yourself. Im not just after money ok, if that was all I was after, I think that my brain would be capable of getting me much more further than optometry, and if you did read my other posts, then you will notice when I said that I dont c myself doing anything else.....I LOVE OPTOMETRY...And its a he, thank u

QbanOD · Oct 6, 2008

And allow me to make a quick point, or should I say "fact", EVERYONE in this website is after "the money", in whatever ur doing regardless of what it is, if ur not then come work for me for free iight. Competition- both monetarily and educational is the only key that makes America the only remaining superpower. I have lived outside the US, in Latin America and Europe and trust me, caring is not what we are best known for....

blysssful · Oct 6, 2008

QbanOD said:
Hey man, let me clear this out for you because I guess you need "extra" explanation of my own questions. I appreciate you trying to help and stuff, but if you dont have any useful information for me then please keep it to yourself. Im not just after money ok, if that was all I was after, I think that my brain would be capable of getting me much more further than optometry, and if you did read my other posts, then you will notice when I said that I dont c myself doing anything else.....I LOVE OPTOMETRY...And its a he, thank u

The reason for my response was because you've made multiple posts-- all regarding salary (I'll make the not-so-far-reach to say that your post about residency and experience is simply asking in reference to the starting salaries after graduation). It's aggravating to see people going into healthcare for the wrong reasons. If that's not really you, then fantastic-- my bad.

But in case you missed it, I linked you to a pretty decent site that lists reported/estimated salaries of optometrists in your area. It's not the starting salary, but it shows what you could expect to make overall. My point about residency and other doctors is valid-- MDs going through residency sometimes only make enough money to make ends meet, but it's nothing compared to what they'll be making once established. As a OD, you might not be rolling around in piles of money, but if you work hard and can manage yourself well, then you can definitely live comfortably.

blysssful · Oct 6, 2008

QbanOD said:
And allow me to make a quick point, or should I say "fact", EVERYONE in this website is after "the money"

Please, do us all a favor and don't make blanket statements like this.

DryEye · Oct 6, 2008

QbanOD said:
And allow me to make a quick point, or should I say "fact", EVERYONE in this website is after "the money", in whatever ur doing regardless of what it is, if ur not then come work for me for free iight. Competition- both monetarily and educational is the only key that makes America the only remaining superpower. I have lived outside the US, in Latin America and Europe and trust me, caring is not what we are best known for....

QbanOD, when did you first become interested in Optometry?

QbanOD · Oct 7, 2008

blysssful said:
Please, do us all a favor and don't make blanket statements like this.

I just did the favor of telling the truth, and dont use my comments vaguely ok, next time quote the whole thing instead of using a point at your advantage. IF YOU WERE NOT SO INTERESTED IN THE MONEY THEN HOW COME YOU KNOW ALL THE WEBSITES WITH HOW MUCH OPTOMETRISTS MAKE. Ill give u sometime to think about, Im sorry but I am a really honest person and I cant lie to myself, thats the way I was brought coming from a family of DOCTORS, lawyers and engineers😉

QbanOD · Oct 7, 2008

DryEye said:
QbanOD, when did you first become interested in Optometry?

I have been using contact lenses since I was 3 years old, every day of my life since then. I had a sclereoplastic surgery (not common in the U.S.) at the age of 7 in order to retain my myopia from increasing heavily as it was, due to risk of retina detachment, I have been every 6 months of my life day in and day out to the optometrists and ophthalmologists, that I grew curious about it. I have developed closed friendship with the ophthalmologist that did the surgery on me back in Cuba, and also have a very close optometrist friend here in Houston. As you can see this has been a long time passion of mines, probably since I was 5, and I am 20 now and have never considered anything else other than Optometry (and wont). My myopia did stop from growing and well its pretty high anyways, right now is -13 in the left eye and -14 in the right😱. So yea I guess thats how it all happened, and you?

blysssful · Oct 7, 2008

QbanOD said:
I just did the favor of telling the truth, and dont use my comments vaguely ok, next time quote the whole thing instead of using a point at your advantage. IF YOU WERE NOT SO INTERESTED IN THE MONEY THEN HOW COME YOU KNOW ALL THE WEBSITES WITH HOW MUCH OPTOMETRISTS MAKE. Ill give u sometime to think about, Im sorry but I am a really honest person and I cant lie to myself, thats the way I was brought coming from a family of DOCTORS, lawyers and engineers😉

My point is that you have absolutely no idea what the various backgrounds of "everyone" who posts on this site are. And you have absolutely no idea about the various futures of "everyone" who posts on this site are. Personally, since you seem to really want to get into it, money isn't an issue for everyone and I'm going into this profession because I WANT to, not because of the monetary gain (or loss by comparison to other potential professions).

And thank God you don't want to be a lawyer because your arguments hold water like a sieve-- I know about that extremely popular salary website for several reasons: 1) I had to do a comparison of varying sites like that for an econ class I took; 2) I think it's important to have a sense of what kind of income one could expect from a chosen profession; 3) my roommate is a business major and these things come up in conversation from time to time. Just because I stated that money shouldn't be the catalyst towards a profession does not mean that I believe one should be ignorant to that aspect.

Oh, and by the way, I quoted the part of your comment that actually said the point you were making instead of quoting the entirety of your rambling. 😉

I'm done bickering with you. If your passion does lie with optometry, then more power to you. 👍

Meibomian SxN · Oct 8, 2008

QbanOD said:
Alright man, Im gonna ask this question which a lot have asked, yet dont seem to get a clear answer. Ok Im from Houston, TX and I want to know what would be my starting salary fresh out of finishing my OD/Residency. Lets say working at a "Hospital".

As a general rule, you will always make less money (cash) in government/hospital settings, you will make unlimited money if you open your own practice, and you will make a high capped salary working corporate.

The plus side with hospital/government is that you generally get excellent benefits (health/401 K, etc). So I think since your heart is set on Optometry, then you should shadow these settings and see where you are most comfortable doing your "9-5" gig :hardy:

PeteRose · Oct 9, 2008

QbanOD,
Everyone here is trying to give you helpful info. You seem to be carrying a rather large chip on your shoulder. It is perfectly legit to ask income questions, but I promise you will get more help if you don't come back with insults. Here are a few things for you to consider in Houston. TX is absolutely the cheapest state in the union to live, and despite the nationwide woes, the economy there continues to do well. Next cheapest are Oklahoma and Tennessee. So less money goes further there. Also, consider that TX does not have a state income tax. This is an enormous benefit, especially those in higher tax brackets which an optometrist would likely be.

A simple google search will help you find a cost of living comparison calculator and you can compare how far a designated income will between two cities. I also would add that those websites that give average salaries are not very useful for optometrists from my experience. I'm not sure where they get their data, but they usually run a bit low. I suspect that they get it from government tax claims, and many tax software options don't even have optometry listed as an occupation so one is forced to check the optician box. Not sure about this, just a theory. Also there is a sizable population of optometrists who only work part time and stay at home as moms or dads. This is common in that optometry is a flexible career. This might skew the data.

Maybe with all your international experience you would be interested in a military optometry career. They will pay all your school debt and you can do a residency there while earning officer pay. I'm not military but I think you'd go in as an 0-3 pay level officer which gives you around $55 a year and then you get a location based housing allowance that is tax free money which can be anywhere from $1300 a year to much much more if you live in Hawaii or the northeast somewhere. Add that to loan repayment over 4 years and you are certainly in the six figure range. Of course your eyes might preclude you. Just a suggestion.

PeteRose · Oct 9, 2008

I meant to write $13000.00 a year in the previous post. sorry

VisualSpirit · Oct 15, 2008

PeteRose said:
QbanOD,
Everyone here is trying to give you helpful info. You seem to be carrying a rather large chip on your shoulder. It is perfectly legit to ask income questions, but I promise you will get more help if you don't come back with insults.

Well said Pete. I live and die by an old adage....

"Never argue with an idiot. People watching will have a difficult time telling you apart."

Not that I'm calling QbanOD an idiot. He just needs help in debate style.

Anyway, thanks again, Pete for your enlightenment.😍

booger11 · Oct 20, 2008

gochi · Apr 3, 2009

QbanOD said:
Thanxx a lot, I still cant get through the fact that studying for 8 years can only get u a starting salary of 50K or even 80k, it doesnt seem logical for a doctor???....

Yea, it really doesn't. But all that really doesn't matter.

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