Optometrist Salary in Kenner, LA: $124,401 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Kenner, LA earns a median $124,401/year (≈ $59.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Kenner's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $137,764 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kenner, Louisiana, optometrists enjoy a median salary of $124,401 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $140,612. This discrepancy can largely be attributed to the area's cost of living, which sits below the national average at an index of 90.3. With salaries ranging from $72,153 at the 10th percentile to $189,451 at the 90th, it’s evident that practitioners with varying levels of experience and specialties can significantly influence their earnings. The expanded scope of practice in Louisiana, allowing for duties such as glaucoma management and the prescription of oral medications, may enhance earning potential for optometrists willing to pursue advanced training or residency options. Given the competition in the local job market, which employs only 11 optometrists, understanding how to maximize salary potential is key for new and experienced professionals alike.
About the Kenner Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,153 | $34.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,247 | $48.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,401 | $59.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,128 | $74.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $189,451 | $91.08 |
Median Salary Position
11.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenner
In Kenner, LA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,298 (2026 est.). At $124,401, the local median is 11.53% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kenner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kenner Optometrist Pay Compares
Kenner median: $124,401/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kenner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $126,940 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -11.53% less |
Optometrists in Kenner, LA earn a median of $124,401 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.53% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.00% below the Louisiana state average of $126,940.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kenner has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kenner, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $124,401 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,764 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,963
2025 BLS Actual
$120,825
2026 Current Est.
$124,401
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Kenner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,970 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,111 | Actual |
| 2023 | $116,658 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,825 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,401 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,084 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kenner metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $101,963 (2019) to $120,825 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,084 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,121 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenner 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,153 – $101,247 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,247 – $124,401 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,401 – $154,128 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,128 – $189,451 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Kenner
The earning landscape for optometrists in Kenner reflects both the evolution of the industry and local market dynamics. With only a small number of optometrists working in the area, those who secure positions at leading local employers, such as ophthalmology practices or private optometry firms, may realize higher compensation compared to retail chains. Factors like practice ownership, experience in ocular disease, and involvement in surgical referral networks can widen the pay gap between the lowest and highest earners. Moreover, while retail chains historically provided stable job opportunities, many have been absorbed by private equity firms, changing the compensation model for optometrists. For those aiming to elevate their pay, pursuing additional certifications, networking within the local AOA community, and considering employment in higher-paying sectors, such as VA medical centers or collaborative models with ophthalmologists, can yield fruitful outcomes in their optometrist pay in Kenner, LA.
More salary data for Kenner, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $120,825 for optometristsin the Kenner metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kenner is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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