UnitedHealth Group logo
UnitedHealth Group
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Optometrist

OptometristFull-Time

Listed compensation

from $138,500

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 4mo ago

Job Description

$30,000 Sign-on Bonus for External Candidates

This position is eligible for quarterly bonus based on personal performance

Optum NM is seeking an Optometrist to join our team in Albuquerque, NM. Optum is a clinician-led care organization that is changing the way clinicians work and live.

As a member of the Optum Care Delivery team, you’ll be an integral part of our vision to make healthcare better for everyone.

At Optum, you’ll have the clinical resources, data and support of a global organization behind you so you can help your patients live healthier lives. We believe you deserve an exceptional career, and will empower you to live your best life at work and at home.

Experience the fulfillment of advancing the health of your community with the excitement of contributing new practice ideas and initiatives that could help improve care for millions of patients across the country. Because together, we have the power to make health care better for everyone.

Join us and discover how rewarding medicine can be while Caring. Connecting. Growing together.

As an Optum Optometrist, you will be the expert in diagnosing and treating eye conditions, ensuring patients receive top-notch care and service. Your role includes prescribing therapeutic drugs and maintaining accurate patient records, all while adhering to compliance regulation and improving the clinic's financial success.

Working alongside ophthalmologists, you'll maximize your skills and function at the top of your license. You'll support evidence-based practices, including diabetic eye exams and HEDIS work. Your contributions will help us deliver exceptional eye care, making a real impact on healthcare while enjoying a great quality of life. Your contributions will help us deliver exceptional eye care and make a real difference in our patients' lives.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases with precision
  • Examine eyes, diagnose, prescribe corrective lenses, and deliver effective treatments
  • Prescribe therapeutic drugs within your licensure scope
  • Perform refractions as needed
  • Document comprehensive patient assessments and care plans meticulously
  • Conduct annual diabetic eye exams following evidence-based guidelines
  • Collaborate with ophthalmologists to maximize your licensure scope
  • Manage provider/patient relationships with care and professionalism
  • Advise other providers on optimal, cost-effective treatments
  • Make decisive decisions in emergencies
  • Enhance your professional growth through continuous education
  • Represent the Medical Group's views and policies to leadership
  • Take on additional duties as assigned with enthusiasm

You’ll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in.

Required Qualifications

  • Will allow time to obtain active, unrestricted NM Licensure in Optometry
  • New Mexico Pharmacy/DEA Registration if applicable to practice
  • Proficiency in prescribing corrective lenses and therapeutic drugs
  • Proven solid diagnostic and treatment abilities for eye conditions and diseases
  • Proven ability to conduct annual diabetic eye exams following guidelines

Preferred Qualification

Medical Fellowship or Medical training in eye disease

Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to local labor markets, education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, we offer benefits such as, a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition programs, equity stock purchase and 401k contribution (all benefits are subject to eligibility requirements).

No matter where or when you begin a career with us, you’ll find a far-reaching choice of benefits and incentives. The salary for this role will range from $138,500 to $213,000 annually based on full-time employment. We comply with all minimum wage laws as applicable.

OptumCare is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer under applicable law and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.

OptumCare is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment.

Key Responsibilities

Diagnose and treat eye conditions and diseases while prescribing corrective lenses and therapeutic drugs. Collaborate with ophthalmologists to provide evidence-based care, including annual diabetic eye exams and HEDIS work.

Requirements

Requires an active or obtainable unrestricted New Mexico Licensure in Optometry and applicable Pharmacy/DEA registration. Proficiency in diagnostic abilities and conducting diabetic eye exams is essential.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Certifications

DEA License

Key Skills

Eye DiagnosisTreatment of Eye DiseasesPatient AssessmentHEDIS CompliancePatient Record ManagementClinical Collaboration

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Optometrist at UnitedHealth Group a 7.1 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as very good. This places the position in the top 25% in Optometry — ranked against 2,003 active Optometry listings on WeekdayDoc.

Optometry Career Context

UnitedHealth Group holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 70/100, 1,738 active listings.

Of the 42 active Optometry listings this role was benchmarked against, 64% have no call, 48% require no weekends.

Optometry by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score7.1 / 10 · top 25% in optometryranked against 2,003 Optometry listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$139k–$213kOptometry median $159k (middle half $150k–$174k)244 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$191k in purchasing powerNew Mexico index 92.2 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Optometry listings in New Mexico13 active1,995 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 64% no call · 48% no weekends42 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repayment$30k sign-onUS healthcare professional listings (all specialties): 32% state a sign-on bonus (median $20k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Optometry listings497 in the last 30 days459 the 30 days before (+8%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Optometry pay trend+4.1% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
UnitedHealth Groupsilver tier, 70/100Top Employers work-life index1,738 active listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (2,003 Optometry listings), Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Optometrist Jobs

7 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

7 jobs
4
<$165k
2
$165k-180k
0
$180k-195k
1
$196k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution

7 jobs
0
1-2
0
3-4
0
5-6
5
7-8
2
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Optometrist, Float

VSP Ventures · San Jose, California

$121k-$196k
#2

Optometrist

Visionworks · Tucson, Arizona

$130k-$170k
#3

Optometrist

$130k-$165k
#4

Optometrist, FT (PC) - Short Pump

$133k-$164k
+ 5 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 2.8this job 7.1
Better work-life than 80% of Optometry listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,003 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

UnitedHealth Group logo

About UnitedHealth Group

Hospitals and Health Care
Eden Prairie , Minnesota
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Sign-On Bonus ($30,000)
Quarterly Bonus
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Incentive Programs
Recognition Programs
Equity Stock Purchase
401k Contribution

Living in Albuquerque

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$339k≈ 2.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,452/mo≈ 13% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.5
State income tax
Up to 5.9%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Albuquerque, NM metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.