PA Salary

Natchitoches vs Slidell: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between Natchitoches, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Natchitoches, LA
$128,131
$61.60/hr
Slidell, LA
$142,902
$68.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNatchitoches, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$128,131$142,902
Hourly Rate$61.60$68.71
Entry Level (P10)$103,804$113,797
25th Percentile$119,769$126,391
75th Percentile$146,848$145,867
Top Earner (P90)$170,466$162,264
Total Employed6110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Natchitoches ($128,131) and Slidell ($142,902) physician assistant salaries.NatchitochesSlidellMedian Salary$128,131$142,902Entry Level (P10)$103,804$113,797Top Earner (P90)$170,466$162,264US Median $140,391

Verdict

Slidell, LA offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Natchitoches.

The salary gap between Natchitoches and Slidell is $14,771 (11.53%). Slidell's median is +1.79% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Natchitoches spans $66,662,Slidell spans $48,467. Natchitoches has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Natchitoches
P10 (Entry)$103,804
P25$119,769
Median$128,131
P75$146,848
P90 (Top)$170,466
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$113,797
P25$126,391
Median$142,902
P75$145,867
P90 (Top)$162,264

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Slidell ($154,112 effective) pays 8.61% more than Natchitoches ($141,895 effective).

Natchitoches
Nominal: $128,131
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $141,895
Slidell
Nominal: $142,902
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $154,112

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Natchitoches if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($170,466)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($142,902/year)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,112)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Natchitoches grew 27.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.9% growth in Slidell over the same period.

Natchitoches, LA

+27.8%

$97,040 (2024) → $124,014 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+2.9%

$134,470 (2024) → $138,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Natchitoches or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median physician assistant salary at $142,902/year, compared to Natchitoches at $128,131/year — a difference of $14,771 (11.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Natchitoches and Slidell?

Natchitoches physician assistants earn $61.60/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $68.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Natchitoches to Slidell as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Natchitoches and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Natchitoches = $141,895, Slidell = $154,112), job availability (6 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in Natchitoches vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $103,804 in Natchitoches and $113,797 in Slidell. The Slidell area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov