Optometrist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $130,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $130,331/year (≈ $62.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $144,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an optometrist salary in Lafayette, Louisiana, is projected to land at $130,331, which is slightly below the national median of $140,612. The local pay spans from $75,592 at the lower tenth percentile to $191,389 at the upper ninety percentile, reflecting a diverse job market where compensation can vary significantly based on employment structure. Optometrists in Lafayette can choose between private practice, which may offer higher equity stakes and more independence, or align with optometry chains that present stability but may come with lower salaries. This flexibility in practice ownership versus employed associate roles indicates unique opportunities for professionals seeking to maximize their earnings while adjusting to local market conditions.
About the Lafayette Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,592 | $36.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,328 | $51.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $130,331 | $62.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $156,509 | $75.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,389 | $92.02 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $115,797 (2026 est.). At $130,331, the local median is 7.31% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Optometrist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $130,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $127,028 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | -7.31% less |
Optometrists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $130,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 2.60% above the Louisiana state average of $127,028.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $130,331 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,331 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,823
2025 BLS Actual
$126,584
2026 Current Est.
$130,331
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,418 | Actual |
| 2021 | $115,211 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $133,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,079 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $106,823 (2019) to $126,584 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,366 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $75,592 – $106,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,328 – $130,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $130,331 – $156,509 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $156,509 – $191,389 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Lafayette
The optometry job market in Lafayette remains relatively robust, with 18 optometrists currently practicing in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, professionals can enjoy a favorable purchasing power that extends their earnings beyond mere salary figures. Among employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology settings typically yield the highest pay, especially when individuals leverage surgical referral revenue from the latter. Variability in salary is driven by factors such as solo practice ownership, differing operational models, and the presence of residency-trained optometrists focusing on ocular disease. For those entering this market, pursuing partnerships in private practices or enhancing qualifications with residency training are practical strategies to boost compensation in this competitive environment in Lafayette, LA.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Lafayette?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $126,584 for optometristsin the Lafayette metropolitan area. A 2.96% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lafayette 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