Nurse Practitioner Salary in Louisiana: $130,036 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $130,036/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $144,004 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Baton Rouge ($129,070), Lake Charles ($128,460), Slidell ($127,840).
The average median salary for nurse practitioners in Louisiana is projected to be $130,036 in 2026, which is 5.0% lower than the national median of $136,864. The highest-paying city for this profession is Baton Rouge, where salaries are expected to reach $133,523, while the lowest-paying city is Sulphur at $119,833, resulting in a salary gap of $13,690. This difference can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local healthcare facility funding. In Louisiana, state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws influence how nurse practitioners operate. While nurse practitioners have the ability to prescribe medications and provide a broad range of care, there are specific regulations that govern their practice, which can impact job opportunities and salary. Demand drivers in the region include an aging population and an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 3.45% for the nursing sector. The job market strength for nurse practitioners in Louisiana remains positive, with a total employment of 4,789 projected for 2026. Major metropolitan areas such as Lake Charles, Slidell, Houma, and Shreveport are also expected to offer competitive salaries, adding to the overall appeal of the profession in the state.
Louisiana Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $40,604 (lowest entry-level) to $178,400 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana nurse practitioners earn 4.99% less than the national median ($-6,828/year difference).
Louisiana Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Louisiana range from $96,925 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $162,905 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $130,036. The Louisiana median is $6,828 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $62.52/hr. Approximately 4,789 nurse practitioners are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$100,763
2025 BLS Actual
$125,699
2026 Current Est.
$130,036
2019–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $100,763 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $105,885 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,909 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $130,036 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 24.7% from $100,763 (2019) to $125,699 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,759 (33.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $119,833 |
| Zachary | $120,525 |
| Natchitoches | $121,100 |
| New Iberia | $122,763 |
| Central | $124,493 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houma | $132,064 | 85.103 | $155,181 |
| Lake Charles | $132,892 | 85.852 | $154,792 |
| Monroe | $128,630 | 83.597 | $153,869 |
| Shreveport | $130,078 | 84.766 | $153,455 |
| Hammond | $127,606 | 84.46 | $151,085 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $96,925 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $130,036 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $162,905 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $133,523 |
| 2 | Lake Charles | $132,892 |
| 3 | Slidell | $132,250 |
| 4 | Houma | $132,064 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $130,078 |
| 6 | Metairie | $129,575 |
| 7 | Thibodaux | $129,291 |
| 8 | New Orleans | $129,106 |
| 9 | Monroe | $128,630 |
| 10 | Bossier City | $128,012 |
| 11 | Hammond | $127,606 |
| 12 | Alexandria | $127,326 |
| 13 | Kenner | $126,966 |
| 14 | Lafayette | $125,102 |
| 15 | Ruston | $124,618 |
| 16 | Central | $124,493 |
| 17 | New Iberia | $122,763 |
| 18 | Natchitoches | $121,100 |
| 19 | Zachary | $120,525 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $119,833 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Louisiana?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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