Optometrist Salary in Shreveport, LA: $127,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Shreveport, LA earns a median $127,797/year (≈ $61.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Shreveport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $141,525 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shreveport, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $127,797, demonstrating a competitive stance within the market despite being approximately 9.11% lower than the national median of $140,612. The salary range for optometrists shows significant variability, with earnings stretching from $74,122 at the 10th percentile to a robust $186,938 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price considerations, indicating that Shreveport’s optometry professionals can benefit from the growing trend of surgical co-management alongside ophthalmologists. This model can enhance overall compensation, especially for those involved in surgical referral revenue, which is becoming increasingly relevant in the region as optometry’s scope of practice continues to expand.
About the Shreveport Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,122 | $35.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,054 | $50.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,797 | $61.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,331 | $73.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $186,938 | $89.87 |
Median Salary Position
9.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shreveport
In Shreveport, LA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,816 (2026 est.). At $127,797, the local median is 9.11% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shreveport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shreveport Optometrist Pay Compares
Shreveport median: $127,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shreveport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $127,035 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -9.11% less |
Optometrists in Shreveport, LA earn a median of $127,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 0.60% above the Louisiana state average of $127,035.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shreveport 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.
Shreveport, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $127,797 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,525 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$156,090
2025 BLS Actual
$124,123
2026 Current Est.
$127,797
2019–2027 Growth
+-15.7%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Shreveport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $156,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,291 | Actual |
| 2021 | $112,971 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,144 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,842 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,580 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shreveport metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew -20.5% from $156,090 (2019) to $124,123 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,580 by 2027 — a total increase of $-24,510 (-15.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shreveport 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) | $74,122 – $104,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,054 – $127,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,797 – $153,331 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,331 – $186,938 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Shreveport
The job market for optometrists in Shreveport is relatively stable, with around 28 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Shreveport is 90.3, which is below the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of optometrists’ salaries. Among employers, ophthalmology practices operating under the OD/MD model tend to offer the highest pay due to the additional revenue from surgical referrals. Variations in compensation stem from multiple factors, including ownership stakes in private practices, specialized training, and the evolving nature of the retail optical market as more private practices are acquired by private equity firms. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Shreveport, pursuing residency training, particularly in ocular disease, can be beneficial. Understanding local market dynamics and networking with established practices can also enhance career prospects in this competitive environment.
More salary data for Shreveport, 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 $124,123 for optometristsin the Shreveport 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 Shreveport 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