Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $63.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse practitioner working in Lake Charles, LA runs $63.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $132,892 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $74.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $79,736 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the nurse practitioner hourly pay in Lake Charles, Louisiana is projected to be $63.89, slightly lower than the national average of $65.80. For those considering options in this field, this hourly rate provides an appealing foundation for both part-time and per diem work opportunities. Typically, nurse practitioners in Lake Charles may work flexible schedules, such as three-day workweeks, which can allow for a balanced approach between work and personal life. The hourly pay range spans from $51.61 at the lower percentile to $78.54 at the upper end, reflecting the diverse skillsets and specialties within the workforce. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS estimates projected to 2026, highlights the potential for earning as a nurse practitioner in various settings such as primary care exam rooms, outpatient clinics, urgent care facilities, retail clinics, and through telehealth platforms.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51.61 | $412.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59.02 | $472.15 |
| Median (P50) | $63.89 | $511.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.60 | $556.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78.54 | $628.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $63.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $63.89/hr, a nurse practitioner working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $132,893 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $76,669. With a cost-of-living index of 85.85 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Charles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Charles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,555.63 | $11,074 | $132,893 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,533.38 | $6,645 | $79,736 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,022.25 | $4,430 | $53,157 |
Compare NP Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Lake Charles) | $63.89 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $132,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.90% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 2.50% above the Louisiana state average of $129,651.
Nurse Practitioner Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $63.89/hr = $79,736/year (purchasing power: $92,876).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $132,893/year (purchasing power: $154,793).
CoL index: 85.852 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$53.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$61.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$63.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $55.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $61.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $61.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Lake Charles grew 14.5% from $53.96/hr (2019) to $61.76/hr (2025). At a 3.45% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.09/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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
Focusing on both part-time and per-diem nurse practitioner pay in Lake Charles, opting for a three-day workweek could lead to a take-home income of approximately $79,874 annually, showcasing how versatile earning potential can be outside of traditional full-time roles. For locum tenens or per diem nurse practitioners, rates often fluctuate based on specialty; for instance, locum NPs may charge between $80 to $140 per hour, while psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) can earn upwards of $150 to $200 per hour through telehealth, especially for asynchronous medication management services. The variation in hourly rates is significant across different practices, with hospital outpatient clinics and urgent care chains generally offering more stable positions, while retail clinics and telehealth services may afford higher rates but with less job security and benefits. This creates a scenario where nurse practitioners must weigh the benefits of stable employment against potentially higher pay in less traditional roles, keeping in mind that negotiations concerning hourly wages are essential when considering positions within Lake Charles’ job market.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse practitioners in Lake Charles in 2026?
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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 Lake Charles. 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