Optometrist Salary in Louisiana: $127,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median optometrist pay sits at $127,536/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1041. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $141,236 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($136,696), New Orleans ($136,200), Lafayette ($126,584).
In 2026, the average median salary for optometrists in Louisiana is projected to be $127,536, which is approximately 9.3% lower than the national median of $140,612. The highest-paying city in the state is Metairie, where optometrists can expect to earn $140,742, while those in Thibodaux earn the least at $116,848. This salary gap of $23,894 can be attributed to factors such as local demand for eye care services, cost of living differences, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Louisiana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence earning potential. The state’s licensing process typically includes passing national and state examinations, which are crucial in maintaining practice standards. Additionally, the growth rate for optometry positions in Louisiana is estimated at 2.96% annually, reflecting a steady demand for eye care professionals. With a total of 274 optometrists employed statewide, cities like New Orleans ($140,232), Lafayette ($130,331), Shreveport ($127,797), and Lake Charles ($125,327) also offer competitive salaries. Overall, the job market for optometrists in Louisiana remains stable, with expected growth aligning with broader healthcare trends.
Louisiana Optometrist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $38,353 (lowest entry-level) to $217,038 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana optometrists earn 9.3% less than the national median ($-13,076/year difference).
Louisiana Optometrist Salary Distribution (2026)
Optometrist salaries in Louisiana range from $64,792 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $188,616 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $127,536. The Louisiana median is $13,076 below the US national median of $140,612. The average hourly rate is $61.31/hr. Approximately 274 optometrists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$120,003
2025 BLS Actual
$123,869
2026 Current Est.
$127,536
2019–2027 Growth
+9.4%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,459 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,342 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,489 | Actual |
| 2025 | $123,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 3.2% from $120,003 (2019) to $123,869 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,308 (9.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $116,848 |
| Sulphur | $117,411 |
| Zachary | $118,090 |
| Baton Rouge | $118,620 |
| Natchitoches | $118,653 |
Best Value Cities for Optometrists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for optometrists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie | $140,742 | 90.3 | $155,860 |
| New Orleans | $140,232 | 92.597 | $151,443 |
| Lafayette | $130,331 | 90.3 | $144,331 |
| Shreveport | $127,797 | 90.3 | $141,525 |
| Lake Charles | $125,327 | 90.3 | $138,790 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,792 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $127,536 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $188,616 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $140,742 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $140,232 |
| 3 | Lafayette | $130,331 |
| 4 | Shreveport | $127,797 |
| 5 | Lake Charles | $125,327 |
| 6 | Kenner | $124,401 |
| 7 | Bossier City | $123,707 |
| 8 | Slidell | $123,356 |
| 9 | Houma | $122,854 |
| 10 | Monroe | $122,440 |
| 11 | Ruston | $122,100 |
| 12 | Central | $121,977 |
| 13 | Alexandria | $121,366 |
| 14 | New Iberia | $120,282 |
| 15 | Hammond | $119,312 |
| 16 | Natchitoches | $118,653 |
| 17 | Baton Rouge | $118,620 |
| 18 | Zachary | $118,090 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $117,411 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $116,848 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced optometrists.
Explore More Optometrist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do optometrists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for optometrists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana optometrist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level optometrist salary in Louisiana?
How many optometrists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for optometrists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 optometrist compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more optometristscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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