I went to my Optometrist earlier this week. First time in two-and-a-half years. Since OHIP doesn’t cover eye exams unless you’re young or old, I only go every 2 years as mandated covered by the insurance plan. And even then, insurance only pays a pittance for the examination. I guess that explains why usually eye exams cost within the $70-$85 range.
It takes awhile to do the exam, half an hour plus waiting for the eyes to dilate. So an optometrist makes about $160/hr. That averages to $300k/yr, except they have to pay the salary (and benefits) of their receptionist (say $20/hr), and they have upkeep costs like rent, electricity, insurance, and their own benefits. Originally, my back of the envelope calculation made me feel that they wouldn’t make a lot of money considering they have to go to school for 7 years. And because there isn’t a steady stream of customers when you only need to visit them once ever two years, but it looks like you can pull in at least $80k a year being an Optometrist! That’s not that bad.