Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $109.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a nurse anesthetist working in New Orleans, LA runs $109.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $227,527 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $118.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $136,515 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In New Orleans, the nurse anesthetist hourly pay is projected to be $109.39 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $119.66. This hourly rate is a crucial indicator for both full-time and part-time professionals, especially those working three days a week or in per-diem roles across common settings such as operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and pain management clinics. For nurse anesthetists, the hourly earnings can range from $106.16 at the entry-level to as high as $194.62 for experienced practitioners. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, provides a clear portrait of what to expect in terms of compensation for nurse anesthetists operating in various environments throughout the city.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106.16 | $849.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108.39 | $867.10 |
| Median (P50) | $109.39 | $875.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138.11 | $1104.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194.62 | $1556.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $109.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $109.39/hr, a nurse anesthetist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $227,525 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $131,264. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $4,375.48 | $18,960 | $227,525 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $2,625.29 | $11,376 | $136,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,750.19 | $7,584 | $91,010 |
Compare CRNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetist (New Orleans) | $109.39 |
| 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 New Orleans, LA earn a median of $227,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.58% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 0.60% below the Louisiana state average of $228,900.
Nurse Anesthetist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $109.39/hr = $136,515/year (purchasing power: $147,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $227,525/year (purchasing power: $245,715).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$74.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$103.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$109.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $75.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $79.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $86.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $106.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $110.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $103.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in New Orleans grew 40.2% from $74.17/hr (2019) to $103.98/hr (2025). At a 5.20% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $115.08/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
Considering part-time opportunities, a nurse anesthetist working a typical 24-hour week can expect their annual income to be significantly lower than that of a full-time counterpart, reflecting the variability among employment settings in New Orleans. Per diem nurse anesthetist pay in the area can fluctuate widely, with locum tenens professionals often charging $200-$350 an hour. Additionally, agencies frequently facilitate significant benefits like travel accommodations and malpractice insurance on top of competitive hourly rates. As different employers may provide varying compensation packages, it’s common for CRNAs in hospital systems to receive a comprehensive benefits package while those in private practices or locum systems could see a higher hourly wage with fewer perks. Negotiating hourly pay in New Orleans can be strategic; understanding the trade-offs between hourly rate and the security of benefits is essential for making well-informed decisions about employment options.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for nurse anesthetists in New Orleans in 2026?
How much do part-time nurse anesthetists make in New Orleans?
Are nurse anesthetists in New Orleans paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time nurse anesthetist make per year in New Orleans?
Do nurse anesthetists earn more per hour working part-time in New Orleans?
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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 New Orleans. 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 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