Optometrist Jobs in Missouri
Optometrist jobs in Missouri draw steady demand across private practices, retail optical chains, and health system-affiliated eye care clinics, with openings at every level from new graduates to experienced practice owners. The busiest hiring markets are Kansas City, St. Louis, and Springfield, where employers such as Walmart Vision Centers, SSM Health, and Eye Care Associates of Missouri maintain consistent optometrist needs. Therapeutic contact lens fitting, pediatric optometry, and ocular disease management are among the most sought-after specialties across the state. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Our employed optometrists help make quality eye care accessible and affordable,
changing the lives of millions of patients each year.
Joplin, MO
Pay Rate: $55.00 to $75.63 hourly
Opportunity:
If you are an outstanding Optometrist, whose primary goal is to provide excellent patient care, we are interested in talking to you! Visionworks is seeking an ambitious and passionate Optometrist who would love a fresh start with a fast-growing company dedicated to helping patients see great, feel great and look great. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, this opportunity can take your career to the next level.
Why us?
Visionworks is a leading national eye care company sitting on the corner of healthcare and retail. Our Optometrists enjoy the benefits of being a Doctor without the hassle of running a business. You focus on patient care, we handle the rest — ie. insurance billing, credentialing, staff hiring & training, and administrative work….
At Visionworks, you’ll have access to advanced diagnostic technology, including optical coherence tomography, visual fields, retinal camera, auto-refractor, and electronic health records to manage patient care seamlessly. OD Technicians or Clinical Specialists will be there to work up patients and provide contact lens care and fittings. Visionworks does everything to ensure our Doctors have a fulfilling career and work-life balance.
We offer excellent compensation and a comprehensive benefits package:
- Competitive base pay
- Exam Incentive Bonuses
- 401(k) with company match
- Medical insurance
- Vision insurance & Dental
- Continuing education stipend
- And other perks
As part of Visionworks “Oneteam”, you'll provide comprehensive eye care to patients of all ages, visual and medical conditions. You'll perform patient examinations, recommend vision-enhancing solutions based on prescription findings, handle eye emergencies, and collaborate with staff members to help deliver our commitment to improving access to healthcare.
Who We're Seeking:
Optometrists with an entrepreneurial spirit dedicated to patient care who strongly desire to help grow the business long-term. Candidates should have excellent clinical and people skills. Must be committed to providing patients with the highest level of care and a wide range of services to ensure optimal eye health and vision for a lifetime.
VSP Vision is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to age, gender, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.
See All 52 Optometrist Jobs in Missouri
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Find Optometrist JobsOptometrist Jobs by City in Missouri
Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Optometrist Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Retail
- Consumer Goods
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
- Medical Devices
What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in optometrist jobs across Missouri.
- Active optometrist license issued or recognized by the Missouri Board of Optometry
- Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school
- Certification to prescribe and administer topical pharmaceutical agents in Missouri
- Experience with electronic health records and optometric diagnostic equipment
- Ability to perform comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings independently
- Strong patient communication skills in a clinical or retail optometry setting
Optometrist Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a optometrist in Missouri?
You must earn a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited program and then obtain a license from the Missouri Board of Optometry. Licensing requires passing the National Board of Examiners in Optometry examinations and completing the Missouri jurisprudence exam. Missouri also requires a separate pharmaceutical certification to prescribe topical agents. Once licensed, you can apply to practices, health systems, or retail optical groups operating in the state.
How much do optometrists make in Missouri?
Optometrists in Missouri earn a median of about $133,810 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,610 for the lowest 10% to over $175,270 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire optometrists in Missouri?
Employers hiring optometrists in Missouri right now include Walmart, Clarkson Eyecare, and Visionworks, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Missouri's mix of large health systems, independent practice groups, and retail optical chains means consistent openings across both urban and suburban markets throughout the state.
Which Missouri cities have the most optometrist jobs?
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield have the most optometrist openings in Missouri. St. Louis and Kansas City lead because of their large health systems and dense retail optical presence, while Springfield draws consistent demand as the regional hub for southwest Missouri, where independent practices and regional medical groups anchor much of the hiring.
Are there remote optometrist jobs in Missouri?
Yes, but they're rare. Optometry is a hands-on clinical field that requires in-person patient exams, so most roles are fully on-site. About 0% of optometrist openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions are almost exclusively in administrative, clinical consulting, or telehealth triage functions rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a optometrist in Missouri with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an optometry residency, which Missouri health systems such as the VA St. Louis Health Care System and university-affiliated programs offer for new graduates. Retail optical employers including large Missouri Walmart Vision Centers regularly hire associate optometrists straight from graduation. Completing your Missouri pharmaceutical certification before applying and having externship hours logged in Missouri practices strengthens your candidacy considerably for these entry-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to optometrist jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to optometrist jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current Missouri openings from practices, health systems, and retail optical groups across the state. Search the roles that match your experience and specialty, then apply directly to the ones that fit your situation.
See All 52 Optometrist Jobs in Missouri
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