LPN Salary

Kenner vs New Orleans: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Kenner, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kenner, LA
$57,579
$27.68/hr
New Orleans, LA
$64,096
$30.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKenner, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$57,579$64,096
Hourly Rate$27.68$30.81
Entry Level (P10)$46,030$52,036
25th Percentile$53,488$54,573
75th Percentile$69,699$67,426
Top Earner (P90)$77,048$79,666
Total Employed112,940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kenner ($57,579) and New Orleans ($64,096) licensed practical nurse salaries.KennerNew OrleansMedian Salary$57,579$64,096Entry Level (P10)$46,030$52,036Top Earner (P90)$77,048$79,666US Median $68,071

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenner.

The salary gap between Kenner and New Orleans is $6,517 (11.32%). New Orleans's median is -5.84% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kenner spans $31,018,New Orleans spans $27,630. Kenner has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kenner
P10 (Entry)$46,030
P25$53,488
Median$57,579
P75$69,699
P90 (Top)$77,048
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$52,036
P25$54,573
Median$64,096
P75$67,426
P90 (Top)$79,666

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($69,220 effective) pays 8.56% more than Kenner ($63,764 effective).

Kenner
Nominal: $57,579
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $63,764
New Orleans
Nominal: $64,096
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $69,220

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kenner if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,096/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,666)
  • Larger job market (2,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,220)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Kenner grew 23.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.0% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Kenner, LA

+23.1%

$44,235 (2024) → $54,474 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+37.0%

$44,270 (2019) → $60,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Kenner or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $64,096/year, compared to Kenner at $57,579/year — a difference of $6,517 (11.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kenner and New Orleans?

Kenner licensed practical nurses earn $27.68/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $30.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kenner to New Orleans as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kenner and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kenner = $63,764, New Orleans = $69,220), job availability (11 vs 2,940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Kenner vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $46,030 in Kenner and $52,036 in New Orleans. The New Orleans area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% 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 Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov