Minimum amount optometrists will earn?

[mupreopt]

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So after reading old posts from a few months back, I see that the future of optometry is not good and you have to open a practice in a certain location to make good money or the "big bucks" as I was reading in one or two of the posts. What defines "big bucks"? I'm assuming that the "big bucks" is $100,000+.
Personally, it doesn't matter to me if I don't make over $95,000 because I already have set in my mind a lower amount.
Assuming that I don't find a good location, will I at least make $80,000 (exclude Wal-Mart. I won't work for Wal Mart for the rest of my life. I would consider Lenscrafters though)?
I certainly don't want to be making below $60,000.

 

[quad32]

you are a little bit CraZY

 

[mupreopt]

What do you mean?

 

[quad32]

haha because i think you have been on here the last week nonstop posting a jillion things.

i feel as though everything is what you put into it. if you put a lot into it, sure - the right location and practice could pull $200k. if you want to be a lazy person and not put as much into it, sure you could be poor and make $80k. i doubt you would ever ever make below that, especially after 4 years of grad school. i think i could make $80k mowing lawns. drink a glass of wine and read a book ! you are starting to freak me out - no offense

 

[mupreopt]

Sorry about all the posts last week. I just had all kinds of questions and when I discovered this board, I just asked it all at once rather than spreading it out over time. Didn't mean to freak you out. I'm not weird. I promise.

I don't plan to be lazy at all. $80,000 to me is alot of money.

I would rather ask many questions and be informed rather than being uninformed. I have searched the internet before posting. So most of the question you see, I have already looked on google and elsewhere.

 

[Eyedoc1999]

FWIW, there is no difference between lenscrafters and anyone else.

 

[quad32]

haha yeah im not tryin to be a dick either, at least you are attempting to research a little before posting.

i'm in the same position you are, i have shadowed a little, and plan on more soon. You should really get after that and get some hours out of the way and that should really help you out!

and i dont believe there is any possible way you can make $80k or less if you are working at least 30 hours. somebody correct me if im wrong

 

[mupreopt]

Hate to say it but KHE would be the best one to answer this.

 

[Jay12]

You have quite the questions don't you (just kidding)

Why don't you look at previous threads in this forum that have already answered this question or something similar to it? I'm pretty sure you'll find your answer.

 

[mupreopt]

Why don't you look at previous threads in this forum that have already answered this question or something similar to it? I'm pretty sure you'll find your answer.

I looked already but didn't find my answer.

 

[KHE]

Hate to say it but KHE would be the best one to answer this.

Answer what?

If the question is what is the minimum ODs can make, I can assure you that there are plenty of ODs out there working "full time" hours and making less than 80k. If you are in a saturated market, then the going rate may be as low as $275 or $300 per day. If you are not, then the rate may be much higher. These are all for associate positions. Private practice ownership, the sky is the limit, but of course you can actually lose money as well.

 

[IndianaOD]

80k is fine if you have a two wage earner family and next to no loans. I'm no money monger myself, but I would like to make enough so my wife can stay home with the kids if she wants to.

With our level of training we SHOULD make 120k minimum, just my opinion.

It does bug me just a little that half my medicaid patients drive nicer cars than me...but that's another topic!

 

[mupreopt]

It does bug me just a little that half my medicaid patients drive nicer cars than me...but that's another topic!

Don't be bothered by that. It means nothing.
I remember when I was 11. My mother had a nice minivan and we had and still do have a big house. However, we were poor but we had a nice van and went to the dentist. Why? We did have lots of money but when my parents got divorce, my father stopped payments and we became poor. I remember my mother was afraid of what the doctors would think because she was poor but was driving a nice van.

 

[IndianaOD]

Don't be bothered by that. It means nothing.
I remember when I was 11. My mother had a nice minivan and we had and still do have a big house. However, we were poor but we had a nice van and went to the dentist. Why? We did have lots of money but when my parents got divorce, my father stopped payments and we became poor. I remember my mother was afraid of what the doctors would think because she was poor but was driving a nice van.

That is different, medicaid patients are receiving TAXPAYER money to pay for their exams. If they have enough money for an IPHONE, Air Jordans, and a new car, they shouldn't be getting my tax dollars for an $80 eye exam.

You will quickly learn to never judge people by their appearance or by the cars they drive. People abusing the system, however, make me sick.

 

[spanisheyes]

With our level of training we SHOULD make 120k minimum, just my opinion.

just based on this forum it seems like most doctors are not making this much though

 

[mupreopt]

With all these negative things as insurance, coporation, etc., will I still make at least $80,000?

Rather than starting my own practice, I am even considering opening a practice that will include an 1 optometry office (me), 1 dentist office, and related non-MD professions all in one building with an attached coffee shop. Then the dentists, etc. can rent space from me to practice and that's how I can earn additional income.

 

[eyestrain]

With all these negative things as insurance, coporation, etc., will I still make at least $80,000?

Rather than starting my own practice, I am even considering opening a practice that will include an 1 optometry office (me), 1 dentist office, and related non-MD professions all in one building with an attached coffee shop. Then the dentists, etc. can rent space from me to practice and that's how I can earn additional income.

It seems like you worry about everything. Don't even think about opening a practice right now, you're not even out of undergrad yet. I opened one and didn't really get the ball rolling until the beginning of my 4th year in optometry school. You have a LOT of time yet, chill out.

 

[Eyedoc1999]

With all these negative things as insurance, coporation, etc., will I still make at least $80,000?

Rather than starting my own practice, I am even considering opening a practice that will include an 1 optometry office (me), 1 dentist office, and related non-MD professions all in one building with an attached coffee shop. Then the dentists, etc. can rent space from me to practice and that's how I can earn additional income.

You will change your mind about what you want to do roughly 5000 times between first year and graduation. You really don't need to be worried about where you're going to practice (or how) until your 4th year of OD school. Your grades will determine some of what you will and won't do (ie residencies) and until you get a taste of the different aspects of optometry, you won't know whether you want to do path, primary, peds/VT or what. It's good that you're thinking ahead, I just think you're thinking a bit too far ahead. So, relax a bit and enjoy the journey a bit since you have so much of it ahead of you!