Optometrist Salary in Metairie, LA: $140,742 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Metairie, LA earns a median $140,742/year (≈ $67.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $155,860 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Metairie, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is set at $140,742, slightly higher than the national median of $140,612. This local figure reflects a salary range from $81,631 for the lower 10th percentile to as much as $217,038 for those in the top 90th percentile. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions, suggest that factors such as participation in the OD/MD model and the associated revenue from surgical co-management significantly influence earnings. Given these dynamics, Metairie’s optometry job market presents opportunities for practitioners looking to enhance their financial prospects through collaborative practices.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,631 | $39.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $115,759 | $55.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,742 | $67.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $170,077 | $81.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $217,038 | $104.35 |
Median Salary Position
0.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie
In Metairie, LA, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,407 (2026 est.). At $140,742, the local median is 0.09% above the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Metairie Optometrist Pay Compares
Metairie median: $140,742/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Metairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $127,024 | +10.80% more |
| National Average | $140,612 | +0.09% more |
Optometrists in Metairie, LA earn a median of $140,742 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% higher than the national median of $140,612 and 10.80% above the Louisiana state average of $127,024.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Metairie 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.
Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A optometrist earning $140,742 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $155,860 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,356
2025 BLS Actual
$136,696
2026 Current Est.
$140,742
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,356 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,159 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,415 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,706 | Actual |
| 2023 | $131,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,673 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,696 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,742 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $144,908 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 18.5% from $115,356 (2019) to $136,696 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $144,908 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,552 (25.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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) | $81,631 – $115,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $115,759 – $140,742 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,742 – $170,077 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $170,077 – $217,038 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Metairie
With 23 optometrists currently employed in the area, Metairie shows a moderately competitive job market. The cost of living index in this city is reported at 90.3, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can positively affect take-home pay for optometrists. Among local employers, private optometry practices and ophthalmology groups often offer higher compensation, particularly for those engaged in surgical co-management or who have residency training in ocular diseases. The variance in salaries illustrates that ownership equity, engagement in the OD/MD surgical referral model, and experience levels significantly impact what optometrists can earn in Metairie. For those looking to maximize their pay in this market, exploring partnership opportunities, continually enhancing clinical skills, and considering employment with ophthalmology practices can lead to better outcomes in the evolving landscape of optometric care.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can optometrists make $100K in Metairie?
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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 $136,696 for optometristsin the Metairie 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 Metairie 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