Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Baton Rouge, LA: $64.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Baton Rouge, LA runs $64.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $133,523 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Baton Rouge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $70.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $80,110 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, the nurse practitioner hourly pay reflects specific dynamics of the healthcare market, with a median rate of $64.19. This figure is slightly below the national median of $65.80, indicating regional variations in compensation. For part-time positions, typically structured around three days per week, this hourly wage equates to a stable income while allowing flexibility in work-life balance. As per-diem roles become increasingly common, nurse practitioners in settings such as primary care exam rooms, outpatient clinics, and telehealth services benefit from a pay range between $48.50 and $80.14, which encompasses entry-level positions to those at the top of the earning spectrum. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 provides insight into the pay structure for this valued profession.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.50 | $387.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56.72 | $453.77 |
| Median (P50) | $64.19 | $513.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68.36 | $546.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.14 | $641.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baton Rouge
Based on $64.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $64.19/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baton Rouge, LA can expect to earn approximately $133,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $77,029. With a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Baton Rouge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baton Rouge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,567.63 | $11,126 | $133,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,540.58 | $6,676 | $80,110 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,027.05 | $4,451 | $53,407 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Baton Rouge) | $64.19 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (National Avg) | $103.40 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.85 |
Nurse Practitioners in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $133,523 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.44% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 3.00% above the Louisiana state average of $129,634.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $64.19/hr = $80,110/year (purchasing power: $88,246).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $133,517/year (purchasing power: $147,077).
CoL index: 90.78 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$44.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$62.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$64.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $46.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $52.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $54.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $62.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Baton Rouge grew 38.6% from $44.76/hr (2019) to $62.05/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse practitioners can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Nurse Practitioner in Baton Rouge
Evaluating the earning potential further, a part-time nurse practitioner working a 3-day week (approximately 24 hours) could expect to earn around $74,327 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart, yet designed to permit a better work-life balance. Meanwhile, locum tenens and agency nurses in Baton Rouge often command higher hourly rates, ranging from $80 to $140 depending on their specialties, with psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners gaining even more through telehealth platforms, sometimes achieving $150-$200 per hour. Compensation can vary widely based on the type of healthcare facility—primary care practices, urgent care chains, and specialty clinics often have different pay scales. Nurse practitioners navigating this environment may face a decision between accepting lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits or pursuing higher pay options with fewer perks, a trade-off that requires careful consideration. When negotiating rates in this locale, it's essential to assess the total compensation package, including potential benefits, while keeping the competitive local market in perspective, thus ensuring that the nurse practitioner hourly rate in Baton Rouge remains competitive with their peers across LA.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse practitioners in Baton Rouge. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
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