Entry-Level Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Shreveport, LA: $51,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:New licensed practical nurses entering the Shreveport, LA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,708 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2061, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shreveport's local price level (BEA RPP 84.8 — 15% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $61,001 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,665) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the field as licensed practical nurses in Shreveport, Louisiana, can expect to earn an entry-level salary starting around $51,708 in 2026. This figure represents the P10 salary for new LPNs and is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $61,665, highlighting a significant gap that early-career professionals may face. Over time, there is potential for compensation to rise, with the salary projected to increase to approximately $56,063 by the 25th percentile and further to the median as they gain experience. Given the area's cost of living index of 84.766, professionals may find Shreveport a relatively affordable market for beginning their careers, especially considering its overall employment opportunities for licensed practical nurses.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shreveport
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shreveport
Entry-level licensed practical nurses in Shreveport, LA typically start between $51,708 and $56,063 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,297 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,665 — 9.41% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Louisiana of $9,000 represents just 17.41% of the starting licensed practical nurse pay ($51,708/year) in Shreveport. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on state board of nursing-approved practical nursing programs and ACEN-accredited certificate pathways. Tuition varies by community college, technical school, or hospital-based program setting.
LPN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Shreveport
- 1Research the Shreveport market: entry-level licensed practical nurse pay ranges from $51,708 to $56,063, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in LA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Shreveport, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Shreveport for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shreveport's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Licensed Practical Nurse Compensation Range
The licensed practical nurse wage spread in Shreveport is $23,297 ( 45.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,708, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,005.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,750
2025 BLS Actual
$48,920
2026 Current Est.
$51,708
2019–2027 Growth
+83.7%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Shreveport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,656 | Projected |
Entry-level licensed practical nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Shreveport, LA grew 64.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,750 in 2019 to $48,920 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $54,656. New graduates entering the Shreveport job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shreveport 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.
Starting Your nursing Career in Shreveport
In Shreveport, a variety of employers actively hire new graduates in practical nursing, with skilled nursing facilities being the largest recruiters offering on-the-job orientation for entry-level positions. Home health agencies also present attractive options for new LPNs due to their flexible scheduling and often more personalized care environments. To maximize starting licensed practical nurse pay in LA, obtaining an active LPN/LVN license, completing a 12-18 month accredited practical nursing program, and passing the NCLEX-PN are essential prerequisites. Additionally, certifications in IV therapy or wound care can enhance job prospects and starting salaries. It’s important for new graduates to understand that LPN scopes of practice can vary significantly, with many finding their initial jobs in long-term care settings. Given that hospitals increasingly prefer RNs, aspiring LPNs should consider LPN-to-RN bridge programs to expand their career opportunities and potential salary growth during these critical first few years.
More salary data for Shreveport, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for licensed practical nurses in Shreveport in 2026?
How fast do licensed practical nurse salaries grow in Shreveport?
Is nursing school worth it in Shreveport?
What do new licensed practical nurses make right out of school in Shreveport?
How do I become a licensed practical nurse in Louisiana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Shreveport. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 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