Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $63,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $63,103/year (≈ $30.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $69,512 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for licensed practical nurses in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is expected to reach $63,103, reflecting a local pay scale that is approximately 7.30% below the national median of $68,071. Licensed practical nurse salaries in the city range from $51,106 at the 10th percentile to $73,483 at the 90th percentile, providing a varied landscape for compensation in local healthcare facilities. Shift differentials and weekend premiums are notable aspects driving long-term care compensation, making this a crucial factor for those considering a career or advancement as an LPN in Baton Rouge. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and those specializing in long-term care typically offer some of the highest remuneration, which is integral to attracting and maintaining skilled staff in this critical field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,106 | $24.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,103 | $30.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,481 | $31.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,483 | $35.32 |
Median Salary Position
7.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,377 (2026 est.). At $63,103, the local median is 7.3% below the national median of $68,071.
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At 40 hours/week in Baton Rouge: You'd be above the median
How Baton Rouge Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $63,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $58,755 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -7.30% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $63,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.30% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.40% above the Louisiana state average of $58,755.
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 licensed practical nurse earning $63,103 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,512 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,900
2025 BLS Actual
$59,700
2026 Current Est.
$63,103
2019–2027 Growth
+67.2%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Baton Rouge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 49.6% from $39,900 (2019) to $59,700 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,800 (67.17%) 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 5.70% 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) | $51,106 – $54,520 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,520 – $63,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,103 – $65,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,481 – $73,483 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Baton Rouge
With around 2,900 licensed practical nurses currently practicing in Baton Rouge, the local job market remains robust, even as the cost of living index stands at a lower rate of 90.78 compared to the national average. This lower cost of living can positively influence take-home pay, allowing LPNs to maximize their purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities generally provide the highest compensation, while home health agencies and physician offices tend to offer lower pay. The considerable variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as the setting—where skilled nursing roles often command greater salaries—and additional incentives like shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend or holiday premiums. For those looking to boost their licensed practical nurse pay in Baton Rouge, pursuing opportunities that offer higher pay scales, additional certifications, and opting for positions in higher-paying settings can be effective strategies to enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $59,700 for licensed practical nursesin the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. A 5.70% 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, 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