Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Louisiana: $60,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $60,452/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,946 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($60,861), New Orleans ($60,640), Baton Rouge ($59,700).
In Louisiana, the projected average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in 2026 is $60,452, which falls 11.2% below the national median of $68,071. The highest paying city in the state is Metairie, where LPNs can expect to earn around $64,330, while Sulphur offers the lowest salary at $54,344, illustrating a salary gap of $9,986. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living in different regions, demand for nursing staff, and local healthcare infrastructure. Louisiana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that allow LPNs significant responsibilities, particularly in long-term care facilities and hospitals. The demand for LPNs is influenced by the aging population and the continued need for healthcare services, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% in employment opportunities by 2026. Currently, there are 14,529 LPNs employed across the state, with top cities for employment including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Slidell, and Shreveport, alongside Metairie. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring LPNs make informed decisions about their careers in Louisiana's healthcare landscape.
Louisiana Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $44,087 (lowest entry-level) to $87,080 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana licensed practical nurses earn 11.19% less than the national median ($-7,619/year difference).
Louisiana Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Louisiana range from $49,272 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $72,362 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,452. The Louisiana median is $7,619 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $29.06/hr. Approximately 14,529 licensed practical nurses are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,571
2025 BLS Actual
$57,192
2026 Current Est.
$60,452
2019–2027 Growth
+57.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,571 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,906 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,999 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,773 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,898 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 41.0% from $40,571 (2019) to $57,192 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,898 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,327 (57.50%) 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 5.70% 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 |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $54,344 |
| Lafayette | $54,520 |
| Zachary | $54,657 |
| Natchitoches | $54,919 |
| Thibodaux | $55,093 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | $61,665 | 84.766 | $72,747 |
| Metairie | $64,330 | 90.3 | $71,240 |
| Monroe | $58,516 | 83.597 | $69,998 |
| Hammond | $59,023 | 84.46 | $69,883 |
| Baton Rouge | $63,103 | 90.78 | $69,512 |
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) | $49,272 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,452 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $72,362 |
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 | Metairie | $64,330 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $64,096 |
| 3 | Baton Rouge | $63,103 |
| 4 | Slidell | $62,892 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $61,665 |
| 6 | Bossier City | $60,687 |
| 7 | Hammond | $59,023 |
| 8 | Monroe | $58,516 |
| 9 | Alexandria | $58,008 |
| 10 | Kenner | $57,579 |
| 11 | Ruston | $56,514 |
| 12 | Central | $56,456 |
| 13 | Lake Charles | $56,338 |
| 14 | Houma | $56,275 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $55,672 |
| 16 | Thibodaux | $55,093 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $54,919 |
| 18 | Zachary | $54,657 |
| 19 | Lafayette | $54,520 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $54,344 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Compare Cities in Louisiana
View all comparisons →Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Louisiana?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
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 5.70% 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 licensed practical nurse compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov