Optometrists

Saskatchewan

The employment outlook will be Very good for optometrists (NOC 31111) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about optometrists in Saskatchewan: Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Optometrists mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 86%Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 14% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 19% for all occupations39% of optometrists work all year, while 61% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 46 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.83% of optometrists are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 49% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 51% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 7% for all occupations

Alberta

The employment outlook will be Very good for optometrists (NOC 31111) in Alberta for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Alberta’s population and its proportion of residents aged 65+ are predicted to increase over the next decade, contributing to demand for this occupation. In 2025, Alberta increased total health spending to $28 billion, marking a 5.4% rise from the previous year.Ongoing healthcare needs and retirements continue to support steady demand across the sector.Here are some key facts about optometrists in Alberta: Approximately 850 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Optometrists mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 92%Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 8% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 77% compared to 80% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 23% compared to 20% for all occupations39% of optometrists work all year, while 61% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 44 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.78% of optometrists are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 50% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 50% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 9% for all occupations

British Columbia

The employment outlook will be Very good for optometrists (NOC 31111) in British Columbia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Several positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about optometrists in British Columbia: Approximately 850 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Optometrists mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 95%Other retail stores (NAICS 44-45, except 445): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 78% compared to 78% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations35% of optometrists work all year, while 65% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.87% of optometrists are self-employed compared to an average of 17% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 52% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 48% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: n/a bachelor's degree: n/a university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: more than 95% compared to 12% for all occupations