Side-by-Side Comparison
Dentists, General leads 4–1| Metric | Dentists, General | Optometrists |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 20.8% | 21.5% |
| Risk Tier | Low Risk | Low Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 8th | 10th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 4 / 15 | 1 / 10 |
| Median Salary | $172,790 | $134,830 |
| Employment | 113K | 42K |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Controlling Machines and Processes
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Control Precision
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Multilimb Coordination
Manual DexterityAI-Resistant
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Biology
Therapy and Counseling
Time Management
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Dentists, General
39%
total discount
Optometrists
35%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Dentists, General
4 of 15 at risk85%Manage business aspects such as employing or supervising staff or handling paperwork or insurance claims.
77%Write prescriptions for antibiotics or other medications.
55%Formulate plan of treatment for patient's teeth and mouth tissue.
52%Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, or malformations of teeth, gums, or related oral structures and provide preventive or corrective services.
49%Examine teeth, gums, and related tissues, using dental instruments, x-rays, or other diagnostic equipment, to evaluate dental health, diagnose diseases or abnormalities, and plan appropriate treatments.
Optometrists
1 of 10 at risk53%Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
39%Examine eyes, using observation, instruments and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities such as glaucoma or color blindness.
39%Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
39%Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
39%Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.
Wage Comparison
Optometrists earns -$37,960(-22%) vs Dentists, General
Dentists, GeneralOptometrists
10th
$83,860$70,060
25th
$126,090$103,310
Median
$172,790$134,830
75th
$220,380$163,710
90th
$239,200$203,210
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Dentists, General2028–2035
Optometrists2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Dentists, General has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Optometrists.
Risk-Adjusted Salary
Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)
Dentists, General
$136,867
from $172,790
Optometrists
$105,909
from $134,830
After adjusting for AI risk, Dentists, General offers $30,958 more in risk-adjusted pay.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Dentists,
0
Unique to Optometrists
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Fine Manipulation
Creativity
Social Intelligence
Decision Complexity
Dentists, GeneralOptometrists