Physician Assistant Salary in New Orleans, LA: $128,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in New Orleans, LA earns a median $128,716/year (≈ $61.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $139,007 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physician assistant salaries in New Orleans, Louisiana are projected to reach a median annual figure of $128,716. This salary reflects a full range from $112,350 at the 10th percentile to $174,673 at the 90th percentile, based on surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The compensation structure in New Orleans is bolstered by the first-assist billing model, especially prevalent in surgical specialties, where PAs can significantly enhance their earnings. Specialization in areas such as orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery typically leads to higher compensation compared to other settings, marking the importance of this city’s healthcare dynamics in shaping PA pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,350 | $54.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,301 | $61.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,716 | $61.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,647 | $73.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $174,673 | $83.98 |
Median Salary Position
8.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,323 (2026 est.). At $128,716, the local median is 8.32% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Orleans Physician Assistant Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $128,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $137,078 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -8.32% less |
Physician Assistants in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $128,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 6.10% below the Louisiana state average of $137,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $128,716 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $139,007 in an average-cost city — an effective 8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,090
2025 BLS Actual
$124,580
2026 Current Est.
$128,716
2019–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $98,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $102,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $126,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 28.3% from $97,090 (2019) to $124,580 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,899 (36.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $112,350 – $127,301 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,301 – $128,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,716 – $153,647 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,647 – $174,673 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in New Orleans
With approximately 400 physician assistants currently employed in the area, New Orleans presents a robust job market for aspiring PAs. The cost of living index at 92.597 suggests that living expenses fall below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Healthcare systems, surgical specialty practices, and high-demand urgent care facilities represent the primary employers that can offer the most competitive wages. Variances in salary are often driven by factors like case volume, call coverage, and whether PAs are employed in a hospital setting or as independent contractors. To maximize earnings in New Orleans, PAs should consider focusing on surgical specialties and pursuing roles that offer productivity bonuses, thus capitalizing on the unique local opportunities.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $124,580 for physician assistantsin the New Orleans 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
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 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