Physician Assistant Salary in Natchitoches, LA: $128,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Natchitoches, LA earns a median $128,131/year (≈ $61.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Natchitoches's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $141,895 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Natchitoches, Louisiana, the expected compensation for physician assistants reflects a diverse salary spectrum influenced by the specialty focus. With a 2026 median annual salary projected at $128,131, local physician assistants earn significantly less than the national median of $140,391. The salary range illustrates this disparity, offering entry-level positions around $103,804 and experience-driven roles peaking at $170,466. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, highlight that Natchitoches presents a unique opportunity for physician assistants specializing in surgical practices, which can attract higher pay scales compared to those in primary care.
About the Natchitoches Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($115,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $103,804 | $49.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $119,769 | $57.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,131 | $61.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $146,848 | $70.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $170,466 | $81.95 |
Median Salary Position
8.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Natchitoches
In Natchitoches, LA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,662 (2026 est.). At $128,131, the local median is 8.73% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Natchitoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Natchitoches Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Natchitoches median: $128,131/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Natchitoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $137,186 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.73% less |
Physician Assistants in Natchitoches, LA earn a median of $128,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.73% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $137,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Natchitoches 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.
Natchitoches, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $128,131 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,895 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$102,457
2025 BLS Actual
$124,014
2026 Current Est.
$128,131
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Natchitoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $105,313 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,006 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,666 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,014 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,385 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Natchitoches metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $102,457 (2019) to $124,014 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,385 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,928 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Natchitoches 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 3.32% 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) | $103,804 – $119,769 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $119,769 – $128,131 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,131 – $146,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $146,848 – $170,466 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Natchitoches
Within the Natchitoches job market, the presence of just six employed physician assistants indicates a localized demand that could affect salary negotiations. With a cost of living index at 90.3, practitioners can enjoy a favorable living situation, albeit with purchasing power realities that may temper salary expectations. Employers in Natchitoches, including hospital systems and specialty surgical practices, typically offer the highest salaries. The wide pay range can be attributed to factors like specialty focus—where surgical roles command more—case volume, call coverage expectations, and the structure of employment, which can range from hospital-employment models to 1099 arrangements in private practice. To maximize compensation, PAs may consider seeking roles in surgical settings or negotiating for RVU productivity bonuses, emphasizing the value they bring to patient care while exploring opportunities that align with Optimal Team Practice principles endorsed by the AAPA.
More salary data for Natchitoches, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Natchitoches, LA in 2026?
Is Natchitoches, LA a good place to work as a physician assistant?
Can physician assistants make $100K in Natchitoches?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physician assistant salary in Natchitoches?
How much does a physician assistant make per hour in Natchitoches?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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.
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 $124,014 for physician assistantsin the Natchitoches metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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 Natchitoches 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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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