Optometrist salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Optometrists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $115,210 a year ($55.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,410 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 2% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $118,060. There are 0.10 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $117,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| 25th percentile | $102,320 | $49.19 |
| Median | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| 75th percentile | $131,080 | $63.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,410 | $86.73 |
| Average (mean) | $117,070 | $56.29 |
Half of optometrists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,800.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,431.15 |
| Weekly | $2,215.58 |
| Hourly | $55.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $136,200 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $413,620 | $198.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Pharmacist | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Dentists, General | $185,430 | $89.15 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,670 | $62.82 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| Veterinarian | $126,890 | $61.01 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,940 | $34.10 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $268,210 | $128.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a optometrist make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for optometrists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $115,210 a year, or $55.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $180,410 a year. The top 25% earn $131,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,250 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $102,320 or less.
How many optometrists work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.