Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Louisiana: $240,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $240,633/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $266,482 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hammond ($304,640), Baton Rouge ($268,210), Shreveport ($230,440).
Nurse anesthetists in Louisiana earn an average median salary of $240,633 in 2026, which is approximately 3.3% lower than the national median of $248,893. The salary range within the state shows significant variation, with Hammond being the highest-paying city at $320,481, while Thibodaux offers the lowest salary of $209,329. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for anesthesia services, and the availability of healthcare institutions in these areas. In Louisiana, nurse anesthetists must meet specific licensing requirements and adhere to state laws that define their scope of practice. The demand for healthcare services, especially in underserved regions, drives job opportunities, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.20% for this profession. The top five cities projected for 2026 salaries include Hammond, Baton Rouge at $282,157, Shreveport at $242,423, Bossier City at $238,574, and Slidell at $228,799. The job market for nurse anesthetists remains strong, driven by an increasing need for anesthesia services across various healthcare settings, including surgeries and pain management. As the healthcare landscape evolves, there will continue to be opportunities for growth in this essential field.
Louisiana Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $139,844 (lowest entry-level) to $588,846 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana nurse anesthetists earn 3.32% less than the national median ($-8,260/year difference).
Louisiana Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Louisiana range from $201,568 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $374,478 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $240,633. The Louisiana median is $8,260 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $115.69/hr. Approximately 840 nurse anesthetists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$160,068
2025 BLS Actual
$228,739
2026 Current Est.
$240,633
2019–2027 Growth
+58.1%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $160,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $164,586 | Actual |
| 2021 | $168,212 | Actual |
| 2022 | $182,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $214,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $213,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $228,739 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $240,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $253,146 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 42.9% from $160,068 (2019) to $228,739 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $253,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $93,078 (58.15%) 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 5.20% 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 |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $209,329 |
| Sulphur | $211,570 |
| Zachary | $212,792 |
| Natchitoches | $213,806 |
| Houma | $213,819 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | $320,481 | 84.46 | $379,447 |
| Baton Rouge | $282,157 | 90.78 | $310,814 |
| Shreveport | $242,423 | 84.766 | $285,991 |
| Bossier City | $238,574 | 90.3 | $264,202 |
| Lafayette | $227,548 | 87.209 | $260,923 |
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) | $201,568 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $240,633 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $374,478 |
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 | Hammond | $320,481 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $282,157 |
| 3 | Shreveport | $242,423 |
| 4 | Bossier City | $238,574 |
| 5 | Slidell | $228,799 |
| 6 | Metairie | $228,354 |
| 7 | Lafayette | $227,548 |
| 8 | New Orleans | $227,527 |
| 9 | Lake Charles | $225,832 |
| 10 | Kenner | $224,164 |
| 11 | Monroe | $220,631 |
| 12 | Ruston | $220,018 |
| 13 | Central | $219,796 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $218,695 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $216,743 |
| 16 | Houma | $213,819 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $213,806 |
| 18 | Zachary | $212,792 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $211,570 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $209,329 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Louisiana?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
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 5.20% 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 anesthetist compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute 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 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