Nurse Practitioner Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $132,892 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $132,892/year (≈ $63.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $154,792 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $132,892 in 2026, the nurse practitioner salary in Lake Charles reflects a competitive compensation landscape relative to national figures. The local salary range spans from $107,350 at the lower end (P10) to $163,358 at the upper end (P90), according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Nurse practitioners across different specialties, such as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP), Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP), and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNP), observe varying pay gradients, with PMHNPs typically earning more due to increased demand in mental health services. Given the local dynamics and opportunities, Lake Charles presents a market where nurse practitioners can expect robust compensation for their expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,350 | $51.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,764 | $59.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,892 | $63.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $144,768 | $69.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,358 | $78.54 |
Median Salary Position
2.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,008 (2026 est.). At $132,892, the local median is 2.9% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $132,892/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $129,651 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | -2.90% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 14.15% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.852 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $132,892 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $154,792 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$112,240
2025 BLS Actual
$128,460
2026 Current Est.
$132,892
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $112,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $127,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,892 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,477 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 14.5% from $112,240 (2019) to $128,460 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,477 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,237 (22.48%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $107,350 – $122,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,764 – $132,892 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,892 – $144,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $144,768 – $163,358 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Lake Charles
The job market for nurse practitioners in Lake Charles is supported by approximately 180 practitioners currently employed in various healthcare settings, which creates a competitive environment for both hiring and salaries. The cost of living index stands at 85.852, indicating lower living expenses compared to the national average, which enhances the take-home purchasing power for nurse practitioners in the area. Among potential employers, outpatient clinics and specialty practices tend to offer the highest salaries, while retail clinics and telehealth platforms are also viable options. Factors influencing the income spectrum include the specific population focus of each specialty, the implementation of state full-practice authority, and possible productivity bonuses tied to visit metrics. For those looking to maximize their pay in this market, considering independent practice options, pursuing high-demand specialties, and seeking job opportunities that provide stipends for collaboration agreements could be beneficial strategies, ultimately positioning them for greater financial rewards in Lake Charles, LA.
More salary data for Lake Charles, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $128,460 for nurse practitionersin the Lake Charles metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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