Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $282,157 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $282,157/year (≈ $135.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $310,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.3% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse anesthetists in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, can expect a median annual salary of $282,157, significantly surpassing the national median of $248,893. These professionals earn between $239,235 and $282,167, representing a strong compensation framework that reflects the ongoing demand for anesthesia services in the region. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, suggests a robust local market supported by the structural choices between W-2 positions in hospital settings versus 1099 arrangements in group practices. The decision impacts not only the workforce distribution but also the financial incentives that nurse anesthetists encounter, influencing both job satisfaction and income potential in Baton Rouge's healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $239,235 | $115.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $246,557 | $118.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $282,157 | $135.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $282,157 | $135.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $282,167 | $135.66 |
Median Salary Position
13.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,932 (2026 est.). At $282,157, the local median is 13.36% above the national median of $248,893.
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How Baton Rouge Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $282,157/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $228,838 | +23.30% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +13.36% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $282,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 23.30% above the Louisiana state average of $228,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baton Rouge has a cost of living 9.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baton Rouge, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $282,157 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $310,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$167,740
2025 BLS Actual
$268,210
2026 Current Est.
$282,157
2019–2027 Growth
+77.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $167,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $208,115 | Actual |
| 2021 | $221,753 | Actual |
| 2022 | $198,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $241,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $193,223 | Actual |
| 2025 | $268,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $282,157 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $296,829 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 59.9% from $167,740 (2019) to $268,210 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $296,829 by 2027 — a total increase of $129,089 (76.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $239,235 – $246,557 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $246,557 – $282,157 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $282,157 – $282,157 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $282,157 – $282,167 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Baton Rouge
The local job market for nurse anesthetists shows strength with around 130 professionals currently employed, providing a solid foundation for career opportunities. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 90.78, which is below the national average, the effective purchasing power for anesthetists remains favorable. Leading employers in the area include major hospital systems offering W-2 employment, ambulatory surgery centers, and CRNA-owned practices, with compensation varying based on factors such as call rotation schedules and profit-sharing structures. High performers may benefit from OR efficiency bonuses and stipends for specialized trauma care. To maximize earnings, candidates may consider strategies like pursuing partnership tracks in group practices, which can enhance financial stability and earnings potential while navigating the intricacies of pay scales in both 1099 and W-2 environments, providing insight into how much nurse anesthetists make in Baton Rouge.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, 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
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 $268,210 for nurse anesthetistsin the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. A 5.20% 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, 4-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