Nurse Practitioner Pay

Hammond vs Lafayette: Nurse Practitioner Salary (2026)

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

Hammond, LA
$127,606
$61.35/hr
Lafayette, LA
$125,102
$60.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, LALafayette, LA
Median Salary$127,606$125,102
Hourly Rate$61.35$60.15
Entry Level (P10)$63,984$40,604
25th Percentile$104,402$103,440
75th Percentile$143,599$141,520
Top Earner (P90)$171,272$166,710
Total Employed160480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($127,606) and Lafayette ($125,102) nurse practitioner salaries.HammondLafayetteMedian Salary$127,606$125,102Entry Level (P10)$63,984$40,604Top Earner (P90)$171,272$166,710US Median $136,864

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hammond and Lafayette is $2,504 (2.00%). Hammond's median is -6.76% compared to the US national median of $136,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $107,288,Lafayette spans $126,106. Lafayette has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse practitioners.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$63,984
P25$104,402
Median$127,606
P75$143,599
P90 (Top)$171,272
Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$40,604
P25$103,440
Median$125,102
P75$141,520
P90 (Top)$166,710

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hammond ($151,085 effective) pays 5.32% more than Lafayette ($143,451 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $127,606
CoL Index: 84.46
Adjusted: $151,085
Lafayette
Nominal: $125,102
CoL Index: 87.209
Adjusted: $143,451

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hammond if…

  • Higher median salary ($127,606/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,272)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $151,085)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse practitioner salaries in Hammond grew 10.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.1% growth in Lafayette over the same period.

Hammond, LA

+10.2%

$111,940 (2019) → $123,350 (2025)

Lafayette, LA

+28.1%

$94,390 (2019) → $120,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse practitioners more: Hammond or Lafayette?

Hammond has a higher median nurse practitioner salary at $127,606/year, compared to Lafayette at $125,102/year — a difference of $2,504 (2.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and Lafayette?

Hammond nurse practitioners earn $61.35/hr while Lafayette hygienists earn $60.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to Lafayette as a nurse practitioner?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and Lafayette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $151,085, Lafayette = $143,451), job availability (160 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse practitioners earn $63,984 in Hammond and $40,604 in Lafayette. The Hammond area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

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