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$24.5K

$48.4K

$79K

How much do vision science jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for vision science in the United States is $48,391.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $52,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vision Scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vision Scientist, you need a strong background in biology, optics, neuroscience, and experimental design, typically supported by a PhD or advanced degree in vision science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical analysis software (such as MATLAB or Python), and imaging systems is essential. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills enable successful research and collaboration. These competencies are crucial for advancing knowledge in visual perception and developing applications in healthcare and technology.

What is the difference between Vision Science vs Optometrist?

AspectVision ScienceOptometrist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's or PhD in vision science or related fieldRequires Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and licensure
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, universities, industry settingsPrivate practices, clinics, healthcare facilities
Industry UsageResearch, product development, academiaPatient eye care, vision testing, prescribing corrective lenses

Vision Science and Optometrists both focus on eye health and vision, but differ in their roles. Vision Science primarily involves research and development in vision-related fields, requiring advanced degrees and working in academic or industry settings. Optometrists, on the other hand, are healthcare professionals providing direct patient care, requiring a Doctor of Optometry degree and licensure. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the eye care industry.

What is vision science?

Vision science is an interdisciplinary field that studies how visual systems process information. It encompasses research on the anatomy, physiology, and functioning of the eyes and brain, as well as optical, computational, and psychological aspects of vision. Vision scientists work to understand how we perceive visual information, how visual disorders arise, and how technology can enhance or restore vision. Careers in vision science may involve research, clinical practice, or developing new diagnostic and corrective tools.

What does a vision scientist do?

A vision scientist researches how the visual system processes information, studying aspects like visual perception, eye function, and neural mechanisms. They often work in laboratories or academic settings, using tools such as eye trackers and imaging technology, and may require knowledge of biology, psychology, or optics.

What can you do with a Vision Science degree?

A Vision Science degree prepares individuals for careers in eye care, research, and vision technology. Graduates can work as optometrists, vision researchers, ophthalmic technicians, or in roles involving visual perception and eye health, often requiring clinical skills and knowledge of optics and neuroscience.

What can I do with a master's in Vision Science?

A master's in Vision Science prepares individuals for roles such as vision researcher, optometric technician, or vision scientist in clinical, research, or industry settings. Graduates often work in eye care clinics, research laboratories, or with companies developing visual technologies, utilizing skills in optics, neuroscience, and data analysis.

What are some typical collaborative projects a Vision Science professional might work on with other departments?

Vision Science professionals frequently collaborate with teams in ophthalmology, neurology, psychology, and engineering, depending on the setting. For example, they may work closely with ophthalmologists to develop and test new diagnostic tools, partner with engineers to refine visual aids or imaging technologies, or collaborate with psychologists to study visual perception and cognition. These interdisciplinary projects help broaden the impact of their research and often lead to innovative solutions in visual health and technology.

Is Vision Science hard?

Vision Science as a field involves understanding complex biological and psychological processes related to vision, often requiring knowledge of biology, physics, and research methods. It can be challenging due to the technical nature of the subject and the need for analytical skills, but with dedication and proper training, it is manageable for motivated students and professionals.
More about Vision Science jobs
What cities are hiring for Vision Science jobs? Cities with the most Vision Science job openings:
What states have the most Vision Science jobs? States with the most job openings for Vision Science jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vision Science jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vision Science jobs are:
Vision Science jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vision Science job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,391 per year, or $23.3 per hour.
Experience Prototyper/Lab Manager, Level 3 (Fixed Term)

Experience Prototyper/Lab Manager, Level 3 (Fixed Term)

Snap, Inc.

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical

Posted 25 days ago

Job description

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.


The Company operates Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world, and Specs Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to making computing more human, in addition to Bitmoji, Saturn, and other digital services.


Specs Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Snap Inc. dedicated to making computing more human. The company develops Specs, advanced eyewear that seamlessly integrates digital experiences into the physical world.

Specs feature see-through lenses that place digital objects directly into three-dimensional space, powered by Snap OS, a proprietary, context-aware operating system designed for natural interaction with your hands and voice.

Specs Inc. also provides Lens Studio, a full suite of advanced developer tools that powers immersive augmented reality experiences across Specs, Snapchat, and other services.

What you'll do:

This role will support the Vision Science team by managing day-to-day lab operations, moderating human-subject research studies, and building rapid prototypes to enable experimental design, validation, and prototyping. This role bridges research, engineering, and creative development, ensuring studies run smoothly while translating vision science concepts into functional prototypes (e.g., in Lens Studio and related tools).

Additionally you will:

Lab & Study Operations
  • Manage daily lab operations, including equipment setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
  • Prepare labs for experimental sessions, ensuring protocols, hardware, and software are ready.
  • Coordinate study logistics: scheduling participants, managing consent forms, and maintaining study documentation.
  • Moderate in-lab vision science studies, following established research protocols.
  • Ensure participant safety, comfort, and data integrity during studies.
  • Maintain organized records of study sessions, datasets, and lab inventories.
Research & Team Support
  • Provide hands-on support to vision scientists during experiment design, setup, and execution.
  • Assist in piloting experiments, debugging experimental flows, and identifying usability or technical issues.
  • Collaborate closely with researchers, engineers, and designers to translate research needs into practical implementations.
  • Support data collection workflows and coordinate handoff of data to researchers for analysis.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of lab processes, tools, and documentation.
Prototyping & Development
  • Build rapid prototypes to support vision science experiments and demos, using tools such as Lens Studio, Unity, or similar real-time/AR platforms.
  • Implement experimental stimuli, UI flows, and interactive behaviors required for research studies.
  • Modify and iterate on prototypes quickly based on researcher feedback and pilot study results.
  • Maintain and document prototype codebases for reuse and iteration.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Act as a liaison between research, engineering, and creative teams.
  • Communicate technical constraints and possibilities clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Support internal demos, reviews, and knowledge sharing related to lab capabilities and prototypes.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

  • Experience running experimental studies.
  • Experience with experiment development packages, such as Psychtoolbox or PsychoPy.
  • Experience with image processing software, such as Matlab or Python.
  • Experience with data analysis and statistical software, such as JMP, R, Matlab, or Python.
  • Experience in object-oriented programming languages, such as Unity or Lens Studio

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Earned Bachelor's Degree (MA/PHD preferred) in a related field such as vision science, perception psychology, cognitive psychology, psychophysics, computer science, human-computer interaction.
  • Experience with programming for VR/AR using applications like Lens Studio or Unity; Experience with object-oriented programming
  • Must be able to work from an office in Boulder or Santa Monica.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don't be shy and provide us some information.

"Default Together" Policy at Snap: At Snap Inc. we believe that being together in person helps us build our culture faster, reinforce our values, and serve our community, customers and partners better through dynamic collaboration. To reflect this, we practice a "default together" approach and expect our team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

At Snap, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to create innovative products that improve the way people live and communicate. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law (by example, the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where applicable).

Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community, so we've got your back! We do our best to make sure you and your loved ones have everything you need to be happy and healthy, on your own terms. Our benefits are built around your needs and include paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap's long-term success!

Compensation

In the United States, work locations are assigned a pay zone which determines the salary range for the position. The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The starting pay may be negotiable within the salary range for the position. These pay zones may be modified in the future.

Zone A (CA, WA, NYC):

The base salary range for this position is $118,000-$176,000 annually.


Zone B:

The base salary range for this position is $112,000-$167,000 annually.

Zone C:

The base salary range for this position is $100,000-$150,000 annually.

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