Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $225,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $225,832/year (≈ $108.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $250,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the nurse anesthetist salary in Lake Charles is projected to reach a median of $225,832. This figure represents a considerable local income tailored to the nuances of the job market, where salaries span from $156,964 at the 10th percentile to $328,742 at the 90th percentile. The variation reflects factors such as call coverage demands and lifestyle preferences unique to the area, impacting how much do nurse anesthetists make in Lake Charles. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS data and have been adjusted for regional cost variations, indicative of both the local economic environment and the competitive landscape for nurse anesthetist pay in Lake Charles, LA.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($205,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $156,964 | $75.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $202,219 | $97.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $225,832 | $108.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $284,770 | $136.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $328,742 | $158.05 |
Median Salary Position
9.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $171,778 (2026 est.). At $225,832, the local median is 9.27% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $225,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $228,806 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $248,893 | -9.27% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $225,832 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $250,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$175,320
2025 BLS Actual
$214,669
2026 Current Est.
$225,832
2019–2027 Growth
+35.5%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $175,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $180,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $177,486 | Actual |
| 2022 | $184,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $192,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $182,714 | Actual |
| 2025 | $214,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $225,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $237,575 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 22.4% from $175,320 (2019) to $214,669 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $237,575 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,255 (35.51%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $156,964 – $202,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $202,219 – $225,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $225,832 – $284,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $284,770 – $328,742 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Lake Charles
With only 15 nurse anesthetists currently employed in the region, the local job market exhibits a concentrated level of demand. The cost of living in Lake Charles, with an index of 90.3, positions salaries as relatively favorable, considering the purchasing power it affords. Major employers such as hospital systems tend to offer the highest compensation packages, especially when factoring in additional incentives linked to call rotations and weekend responsibilities. The disparity in earnings can also stem from contractual differences: 1099 positions generally lead to higher take-home pay but come with significant tax implications. In this environment, CRNAs might find maximizing their pay through strategic negotiation of hours and exploring partnerships within anesthesia group practices to be an effective means to enhance long-term earnings potential while aligning with the local lifestyle and job demands.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a nurse anesthetist?
Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Lake Charles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted nurse anesthetist salary in Lake Charles?
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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 $214,669 for nurse anesthetistsin the Lake Charles 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
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