A vertical cavity surface emitting laser array includes a contact layer formed on a substrate; mesa structures formed on the contact layer, each mesa structure including a first semiconductor multilayer reflector of a first conductivity type, an active region on the first semiconductor multilayer reflector, and a second semiconductor multilayer reflector of a second conductivity type on the active region; a first metal layer formed on the contact layer around the mesa structures, a portion of the first metal layer serving as an electrode pad of the first conductivity type; an insulating film formed on the first metal layer; and a second metal layer formed on the insulating film, a portion of the second metal layer serving as an electrode pad of the second conductivity type. The mesa structures are electrically connected in parallel.