Optometrist salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Optometrists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $136,200 a year ($65.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,010 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 15% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $118,060. There are 0.12 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $138,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for optometrists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| 25th percentile | $110,630 | $53.19 |
| Median | $136,200 | $65.48 |
| 75th percentile | $166,600 | $80.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,010 | $95.68 |
| Average (mean) | $138,070 | $66.38 |
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 | $11,350 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,675 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,238.46 |
| Weekly | $2,619.23 |
| Hourly | $65.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $136,200 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,440 | $156.94 |
| Pharmacist | $128,100 | $61.59 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,580 | $59.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Dentists, General | $198,050 | $95.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,690 | $159.95 |
| Veterinarian | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,180 | $35.18 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, 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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for optometrists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $136,200 a year, or $65.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of optometrists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $199,010 a year. The top 25% earn $166,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,140 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $110,630 or less.
How many optometrists work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 50 optometrists are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.