Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Metairie, LA: $64,330 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Metairie, LA earns a median $64,330/year (≈ $30.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $71,240 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, licensed practical nurses in Metairie, Louisiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,330, which is notably lower than the national median of $68,071. This figure falls within a salary range of $46,722 at the lower end (P10) to $87,080 at the higher end (P90), reflecting a competitive local job market. The estimates provided are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and take into account regional cost adjustments, essential for understanding how much do licensed practical nurses make in Metairie. Also, differing compensation can be influenced significantly by factors such as shift differentials and weekend pay incentives, particularly in long-term care settings where the demand is substantial.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,722 | $22.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,242 | $28.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,330 | $30.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,889 | $36.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,080 | $41.87 |
Median Salary Position
5.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie
In Metairie, LA, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,358 (2026 est.). At $64,330, the local median is 5.5% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Metairie Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Metairie median: $64,330/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Metairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $58,749 | +9.50% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -5.50% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Metairie, LA earn a median of $64,330 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.50% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 9.50% above the Louisiana state average of $58,749.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Metairie 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.
Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $64,330 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,240 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,871
2025 BLS Actual
$60,861
2026 Current Est.
$64,330
2019–2027 Growth
+51.5%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,137 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,618 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,448 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,767 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,330 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 35.6% from $44,871 (2019) to $60,861 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,126 (51.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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) | $46,722 – $60,242 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,242 – $64,330 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,330 – $75,889 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,889 – $87,080 |
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 Metairie
At present, 23 licensed practical nurses are employed in the Metairie area, constituting a stable employment base for this profession. The cost-of-living index of 90.3 in Metairie further indicates that the purchasing power of LPN salaries may stretch further than in higher-cost areas. Top-paying employers in the region often include skilled nursing facilities and long-term care organizations, thanks to their higher demand for specialized care. The variation in licensed practical nurse pay in Metairie LA can also be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend premiums, which often enhance overall compensation for LPNs in long-term care. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and seeking out positions in long-term care could lead to higher pay and better job stability in this market.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Metairie, LA in 2026?
Is Metairie, LA a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Metairie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Metairie?
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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 $60,861 for licensed practical nursesin the Metairie 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
Salary data for Metairie 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 5.70%, 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