Staff Physician Optometrist - Ophthalmology, McGovern Medical School

OptometristFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

The Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, seeks an optometrist to join its faculty. UTHealth Houston offers a dynamic academic environment, competitive compensation, and comprehensive benefits.

Position Key Accountabilities

The Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science seeks an optometrist to join our expanding clinical practice. Responsibilities may include patient medical management, refractive care, and same-day appointment screening and triage, based on the candidate's experience and interests.

Practice locations may include the Texas Medical Center and the planned Bellaire Station location, expected to open in 2027. As services expand, opportunities may arise to participate in additional clinical or administrative activities.

Qualifications

The selected candidate must have a degree in optometry and a Texas Medical License or be eligible for a Texas Temporary License.

Candidates with experience or an interest in refractive surgery are encouraged to apply, though this is not required.

This is a staff position with the potential to transition to an academic appointment based on demonstrated academic contributions and potential.

Key Responsibilities

The optometrist will provide patient medical management, refractive care, and clinical screening and triage within the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology. The role involves working in a clinical practice setting with opportunities to participate in administrative or additional clinical activities as the department expands.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Optometry Career Context

Of the 50 active Optometry listings this role was benchmarked against, 2% are remote, 76% have no call, 40% require no weekends.

Optometry pay on WeekdayDoc is up 1.0% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

Optometry by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score3.0 / 10 · above average in optometryranked against 1,976 Optometry listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed paynot listedOptometry median $158k (middle half $148k–$170k)12 comparable listings, Oct 2026
Cost of livingTexas index 97.1US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Optometry listings in Texas78 active1,975 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Oct 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 2% remote · 76% no call · 40% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Optometry pay trend+1.0% vs prior quarter—through Sep 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (1,976 Optometry listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Oct 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Location & Logistics

Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states.

Top Optometrist Jobs

27 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

23 jobs · 17 employers
6
<$155k
10
$155k-175k
2
$175k-195k
3
$195k-215k
2
$215k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

21 jobs · 17 employers
401k / retirement match
90%
CME allowance
62%
Sign-on bonus
57%
Loan repayment
33%
Relocation assistance
10%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Managing Optometrist-West Nyack, NY- LensCrafters

EssilorLuxottica Group · West Nyack, New York

$159k-$222k
#2

Market Managing Optometrist- Westchester and Long Island, NY- LensCrafters brand

Luxottica of America · Scarsdale, New York

$159k–$222k
#3

Optometrist - Troy, AL - $200k Annual Comp and $100k in Signing Bonus

$200K+
#4

Optometrist (Dr. Tavel Family Eye Care) - Kokomo, IN

$140k-$200k
+ 25 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 3.0
Better work-life than 50% of Optometry listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,976 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Houston

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$243k
Typical market rent
$1,544/mo
Residents’ average commute
27 min
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.