Nurse Practitioner Pay

Baton Rouge vs Hammond: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

Compare nurse practitioner salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Hammond, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$133,523
$64.19/hr
Hammond, LA
$127,606
$61.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAHammond, LA
Median Salary$133,523$127,606
Hourly Rate$64.19$61.35
Entry Level (P10)$100,864$63,984
25th Percentile$117,985$104,402
75th Percentile$142,182$143,599
Top Earner (P90)$166,710$171,272
Total Employed1,010160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($133,523) and Hammond ($127,606) nurse practitioner salaries.Baton RougeHammondMedian Salary$133,523$127,606Entry Level (P10)$100,864$63,984Top Earner (P90)$166,710$171,272US Median $136,864

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for nurse practitioners, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Hammond is $5,917 (4.64%). Baton Rouge's median is -2.44% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $65,846,Hammond spans $107,288. Hammond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$100,864
P25$117,985
Median$133,523
P75$142,182
P90 (Top)$166,710
Hammond
P10 (Entry)$63,984
P25$104,402
Median$127,606
P75$143,599
P90 (Top)$171,272

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hammond ($151,085 effective) pays 2.72% more than Baton Rouge ($147,084 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $133,523
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $147,084
Hammond
Nominal: $127,606
CoL Index: 84.46
Adjusted: $151,085

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($133,523/year)
  • Larger job market (1,010 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Hammond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($171,272)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,085)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Baton Rouge grew 38.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.2% growth in Hammond over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+38.6%

$93,100 (2019) → $129,070 (2025)

Hammond, LA

+10.2%

$111,940 (2019) → $123,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Baton Rouge or Hammond?

Baton Rouge has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $133,523/year, compared to Hammond at $127,606/year — a difference of $5,917 (4.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Hammond?

Baton Rouge nurse practitioners earn $64.19/hr while Hammond hygienists earn $61.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Hammond as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Hammond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $147,084, Hammond = $151,085), job availability (1,010 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse practitioners earn in Baton Rouge vs Hammond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $100,864 in Baton Rouge and $63,984 in Hammond. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.

Clinically reviewed by James Patel, DNP, APRNData verified by Aisha Khan, MSN, FNP-BC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.45% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov