Optometrist Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $57.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $57.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $118,620 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $62.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $71,173 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Optometrists in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $57.03, which is notably below the national median of $67.60. This rate can significantly impact part-time and per-diem professionals, who may work in various settings, including private practice, retail optical chains, and university clinics. For those working three days a week, the hourly pay can be an attractive incentive. Entry-level optometrists in Baton Rouge could earn approximately $18.44 per hour, while top earners could reach around $89.30 an hour. Such a range indicates variations in experience, expertise, and practice settings, reflecting the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.44 | $147.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.65 | $405.17 |
| Median (P50) | $57.03 | $456.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.89 | $519.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.30 | $714.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $57.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $57.03/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $118,621 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $68,435. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,281.18 | $9,885 | $118,621 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,368.71 | $5,931 | $71,173 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $912.47 | $3,954 | $47,449 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Baton Rouge) | $57.03 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
Optometrists in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $118,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $127,002.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $57.03/hr = $71,173/year (purchasing power: $78,401).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $118,621/year (purchasing power: $130,669).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$47.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$55.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$57.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $52.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $58.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $55.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Baton Rouge grew 17.2% from $47.28/hr (2019) to $55.39/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $58.72/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.96% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Baton Rouge
When considering part-time work, an optometrist working 24 hours a week can take home around $64,074 annually, considerably lower than a full-time equivalent. Those opting for per diem roles may find themselves earning between $500 and $1,200 per day, depending on the setting; for example, retail chains may offer $500-$800, while more specialized practices can attract higher rates. Hourly compensation varies among employer types in Baton Rouge, with private optometry practices typically compensating less than retail chains or ophthalmology practices. Some optometrists choose the stability of employment with benefits despite potentially lower pay, while others favor higher hourly compensation without the safety net of health insurance. It’s advantageous for optometrists looking for hourly roles to negotiate effectively, especially in a market influenced by healthcare policies and the evolving scope of practice in LA.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Baton Rouge in 2026?
How much do part-time optometrists make in Baton Rouge?
Are optometrists in Baton Rouge paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time optometrist make per year in Baton Rouge?
Do optometrists earn more per hour working part-time in Baton Rouge?
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Baton Rouge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov