Optometrists Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $126,710 -6% vs national
Median hourly $60.92
10th percentile $49,370
90th percentile $214,460
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
in
New Orleans, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,370
    25th
    $113,030
    50th (median)
    $126,710
    75th
    $165,320
    90th
    $214,460

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 203% Median Optometrists salary is 103% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Alaska $165,830
    Maryland $157,830
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $157,750
    Fort Collins-Loveland, CO $153,870
    Ocala, FL $152,880

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $81,920
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $58,800
    Physicians, All Other $326,440
    Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other $66,190
    Pharmacy Technicians $39,110
    Pharmacists $128,250

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in New Orleans?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in New Orleans, LA is $60.92, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $95.68 or more per hour.

    Is New Orleans above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in New Orleans, LA is 6% below the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in New Orleans?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $49,370 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $113,030.