Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in Lake Charles, LA: $108.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in Lake Charles, LA runs $108.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $225,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against Lake Charles's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $120.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $135,504 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Charles, Louisiana, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $108.58 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $119.66. This rate holds significant implications for part-time practitioners, such as those working three days a week, and per-diem positions in diverse environments like main operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, or military facilities. Entry-level nurse anesthetists can expect to earn around $75.46 per hour, while top earners in the region might command upwards of $158.05 per hour. These hourly figures, informed by annual salary data, reflect the versatility and varying demands of this role across different healthcare settings in Lake Charles, LA, where the cost of living index stands at 90.3, below the national average.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75.46 | $603.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97.22 | $777.72 |
| Median (P50) | $108.58 | $868.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $136.91 | $1095.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158.05 | $1264.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Charles
Based on $108.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $108.58/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Charles, LA can expect to earn approximately $225,840 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $130,292. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (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) | $4,343.08 | $18,820 | $225,840 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,605.85 | $11,292 | $135,504 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,737.23 | $7,528 | $90,336 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (Lake Charles) | $108.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.12 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $60.58 |
| Nurse Midwife (National Avg) | $63.01 |
| Anesthesiologist (National Avg) | $174.04 |
Nurse Anesthetists in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $225,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.27% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.30% below the Louisiana state average of $228,806.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $108.58/hr = $135,504/year (purchasing power: $150,060).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $225,840/year (purchasing power: $250,100).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$84.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$103.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$108.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Lake Charles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $86.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $85.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $88.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $92.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $87.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $103.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in Lake Charles grew 22.4% from $84.29/hr (2019) to $103.21/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $114.22/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem nurse anesthetists 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 5.20% 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 Anesthetist in Lake Charles
With a part-time schedule, a nurse anesthetist working 24 hours a week at the $108.58 hourly rate would earn approximately $169,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts but still a strong compensation compared to many other professions. In contrast, per diem roles present a different earning potential; locum tenens CRNAs may bill between $200-$350 per hour, alongside additional benefits like travel and lodging provided by agencies. Hourly rates in Lake Charles can vary based on the employment type, with hospital systems typically offering W-2 employment and benefits, while ambulatories or CRNA-owned practices may provide opportunities for higher hourly pay without benefits—this necessitates careful balancing for those considering their options. For negotiators in the field, being equipped with an understanding of these dynamics can empower nurse anesthetists to make informed decisions regarding their compensation structures. Understanding these variables is crucial for CRNAs navigating their career paths in the evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for nurse anesthetists 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
Salary data for Lake Charles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov