Optometrist salary in Louisiana
Optometrists in Louisiana earn a median of $118,060 a year ($56.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,670 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $136,570. Louisiana ranks 44th of 51 states for optometrists pay. There are 0.13 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $121,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| 25th percentile | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Median | $118,060 | $56.76 |
| 75th percentile | $148,030 | $71.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $183,670 | $88.30 |
| Average (mean) | $121,000 | $58.17 |
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 | $9,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,919.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,540.77 |
| Weekly | $2,270.38 |
| Hourly | $56.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $136,200 | 50 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $115,210 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Pharmacist | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $350,920 | $168.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Dentists, General | $170,750 | $82.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | $61.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,330 | $122.75 |
| Veterinarian | $124,370 | $59.79 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,130 | $106.80 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for optometrists in Louisiana is $118,060 a year, or $56.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $183,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of optometrists in Louisiana earn at least $183,670 a year. The top 25% earn $148,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,420 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $101,270 or less.
How many optometrists work in Louisiana?
About 250 optometrists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.