Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Hammond vs New Orleans: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Hammond, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hammond, LA
$320,481
$154.08/hr
New Orleans, LA
$227,527
$109.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$320,481$227,527
Hourly Rate$154.08$109.39
Entry Level (P10)$223,024$220,815
25th Percentile$297,232$225,433
75th Percentile$320,481$287,270
Top Earner (P90)$320,481$404,810
Total Employed40190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($320,481) and New Orleans ($227,527) nurse anesthetist salaries.HammondNew OrleansMedian Salary$320,481$227,527Entry Level (P10)$223,024$220,815Top Earner (P90)$320,481$404,810US Median $248,893

Verdict

Hammond and New Orleans are closely matched on overall nurse anesthetist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Hammond and New Orleans is $92,954 (40.85%). Hammond's median is +28.76% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $97,457,New Orleans spans $183,995. New Orleans has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced nurse anesthetists.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$223,024
P25$297,232
Median$320,481
P75$320,481
P90 (Top)$320,481
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$220,815
P25$225,433
Median$227,527
P75$287,270
P90 (Top)$404,810

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hammond ($379,447 effective) pays 54.42% more than New Orleans ($245,717 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $320,481
CoL Index: 84.46
Adjusted: $379,447
New Orleans
Nominal: $227,527
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $245,717

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 ($320,481/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $379,447)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($404,810)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Hammond grew 71.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 40.2% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Hammond, LA

+71.8%

$177,350 (2020) → $304,640 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+40.2%

$154,280 (2019) → $216,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Hammond or New Orleans?

Hammond has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $320,481/year, compared to New Orleans at $227,527/year — a difference of $92,954 (40.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and New Orleans?

Hammond nurse anesthetists earn $154.08/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $109.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to New Orleans as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $379,447, New Orleans = $245,717), job availability (40 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Hammond vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $223,024 in Hammond and $220,815 in New Orleans. The Hammond area offers higher starting salaries.
AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% 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 Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov