ACU's 2023 FQHC Optometry Survey Offers a Small, Descriptive Workforce Snapshot

The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved's 2023 Community Health Center Optometry Workforce Survey, published in August 2024, summarizes 39 anonymous responses (about 9% of the workforce represented by the survey authors). Respondents reported a $155K overall salary average, different rural and urban subgroup averages, and an average of 16.1 patient visits per 8-hour day.

Because the sample is small, anonymous, self-reported, and not controlled for employer, geography, experience, schedule, duties, or benefits, it does not establish a rural recruitment premium, current market rate, productivity standard, or financial return. Use it as dated descriptive context only; verify written employer ranges, actual site rates, payer mix, staffing, collections, and local operating costs before making a career or service-line decision.