Optometrist Hourly Pay in Shreveport, LA: $61.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a optometrist working in Shreveport, LA runs $61.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $127,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Weighted against Shreveport's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $68.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $76,672 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shreveport, Louisiana, the optometrist hourly pay stands at a median of $61.44, which is notably lower than the national median of $67.60. This rate provides insight into the financial landscape for part-time and per-diem optometrists within the area. Professionals working three days a week can expect to earn a competitive hourly wage while enjoying greater scheduling flexibility, often in settings like private optometry practices, retail optical chains, VA outpatient clinics, or university teaching environments. Shreveport's hourly range for optometrists stretches from $35.63 for entry-level positions to $89.87 for the most experienced practitioners. These estimates are calculated from annual salary data, reflecting local market conditions and employment structures.
About the Shreveport Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Optometrist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.63 | $285.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.03 | $400.23 |
| Median (P50) | $61.44 | $491.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73.72 | $589.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89.87 | $718.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shreveport
Based on $61.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.44/hr, a optometrist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shreveport, LA can expect to earn approximately $127,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,723. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shreveport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shreveport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,457.45 | $10,649 | $127,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,474.47 | $6,389 | $76,672 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $982.98 | $4,260 | $51,115 |
Compare OD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Optometrist (Shreveport) | $61.44 |
| Dentist, General (National Avg) | $79.54 |
| Pharmacist (National Avg) | $66.51 |
| Opticians, Dispensing (National Avg) | $21.11 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $64.13 |
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.
Optometrist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.44/hr = $76,672/year (purchasing power: $84,909).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $127,787/year (purchasing power: $141,514).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$75.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-15.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Optometrists in Shreveport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $54.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $53.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for optometrists in Shreveport grew -20.5% from $75.04/hr (2019) to $59.67/hr (2025). At a 2.96% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem optometrists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Optometrist in Shreveport
Shreveport's part-time optometrists, working 24 hours a week, can still achieve meaningful earnings, though they diverge from full-time counterparts in terms of overall financial benefits. Per diem or agency optometrists in the area can command higher daily rates, typically bill between $500 to $800 at retail chain locations and from $700 to $1,200 in OD/MD slots, with residency-trained ocular disease specialists securing rates of $90 to $130 per hour. Hourly compensation may vary based on employment type; traditional private practices generally pay less than retail optical chains or ophthalmology clinics, which can offer greater financial rewards but often come with reduced benefits. This disparity leads many to accept lower hourly rates within practices providing health insurance, demonstrating a clear trade-off for consistent income stability and benefits. When negotiating, it’s advantageous for local optometrists to emphasize their training and expertise, particularly to leverage higher rates in agency or locum tenens positions where qualifications can influence pay significantly.
More salary data for Shreveport, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for optometrists in Shreveport in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for optometrists in Shreveport. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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