Ophthalmologist salary
From 76 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 29-1241: Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
At a glance
- Mostly Level I (entry-level). 51% of Ophthalmologist filings are Level I, compared with 19% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 36% since FY2023. From $220,000 in FY2023 to $300,000 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Ophthalmologist H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 76 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Ophthalmologist jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 29-1241, Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric). The median base salary is $250,000, 104% above the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $103,800 and $328,093. The most common wage level is Level I (entry-level), at 51% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 51% of filings
Mid-level · 30% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 19% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $97,000 | 29 |
| Level II · Qualified | $300,000 | 17 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | $255,000 | 11 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
What a Ophthalmologist does
Diagnose and perform surgery to treat and help prevent disorders and diseases of the eye. May also provide vision services for treatment including glasses and contacts.
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Develop treatment plans based on patients' histories and goals, the nature and severity of disorders, and treatment risks and benefits.
Preparation
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
O*NET occupation: Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric (29-1241.00). This section includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
H-1B pay vs. all U.S. workers
Across all U.S. workers in this occupation (Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric), the median annual wage was $239,200+ in May 2025, with 8,950 people employed. The median H-1B base salary in FY2025–FY2026 is $250,000, 17% lower.
| H-1B filings | All U.S. workers (BLS, May 2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $68,761 | $100,180 |
| 25th percentile | $103,800 | $173,650 |
| Median | $250,000 | $239,200+ |
| 75th percentile | $328,093 | $239,200+ |
| 90th percentile | $400,000 | $239,200+ |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). BLS wages cover all wage and salary workers and include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are the base salary offered on certified LCAs. The two sources cover different periods. BLS reports wages of $239,200 or more as a single top value.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,761 |
| 25th | $103,800 |
| 50th (median) | $250,000 |
| 75th | $328,093 |
| 90th | $400,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 4 |
| FY2021 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2022 | – | – | – | 8 |
| FY2023 | $220,000 | $82,504 | $256,602 | 27 |
| FY2024 | $250,000 | $93,228 | $300,000 | 49 |
| FY2025 | $220,000 | $97,037 | $295,133 | 36 |
| FY2026 | $300,000 | $123,487 | $379,365 | 40 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Ophthalmologist make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Ophthalmologist jobs is $250,000 (76 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $103,800 and $328,093.
What does an entry-level Ophthalmologist earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $97,000. Level I accounts for 51% of Ophthalmologist filings.
Do H-1B Ophthalmologists earn more than other U.S. workers in the same job?
The H-1B median base salary ($250,000) is 17% lower than the median wage of all U.S. workers in this occupation ($239,200+, BLS May 2025). The sources measure pay differently, so treat this as a rough comparison.