Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $26.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a licensed practical nurse working in Lafayette, LA runs $26.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,715 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the licensed practical nurse hourly pay is projected to be $26.21 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $32.73. This difference affects part-time and per-diem workers, especially in settings like skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and hospice care, where consistent scheduling is key. For LPNs working part-time, such as three days a week, the hourly rate allows for flexibility but may not yield as high total earnings as their full-time colleagues. Entry-level roles start at approximately $21.20 per hour, while experienced LPNs can earn up to $31.65 per hour, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The local nursing scene emphasizes the need for skilled professionals in various healthcare environments, driving LPNs to consider their employment options carefully for optimal pay.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.20 | $169.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.05 | $192.37 |
| Median (P50) | $26.21 | $209.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.61 | $236.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.65 | $253.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $26.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.21/hr, a licensed practical nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $54,524 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,456. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,048.54 | $4,544 | $54,524 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $629.13 | $2,726 | $32,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.42 | $1,817 | $21,810 |
Compare LPN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (Lafayette) | $26.21 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $54,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.91% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 7.20% below the Louisiana state average of $58,750.
Licensed Practical Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.21/hr = $32,715/year (purchasing power: $37,513).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,524/year (purchasing power: $62,521).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Lafayette grew 36.9% from $18.12/hr (2019) to $24.80/hr (2025). At a 5.70% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.71/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem licensed practical nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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.
Working as an Hourly Licensed Practical Nurse in Lafayette
When considering part-time work, a licensed practical nurse earning $26.21 per hour and working 24 hours a week could take home around $32,757 annually. In contrast, per-diem opportunities present a different landscape; per diem licensed practical nurse pay in Lafayette typically ranges from $28 to $42 per hour, sometimes reaching up to $60 at agency or understaffed facilities. Different employer types affect pay rates, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies typically offering lower hourly wages than hospitals or specialized clinics. While higher pay can come with the risk of losing benefits, many LPNs find that the trade-off can be worthwhile if they can secure consistent shifts. Negotiation is critical in this profession; LPNs can ask for higher hourly pay when bringing unique skills or certifications to the discussion, especially in a city with varied healthcare job demands like Lafayette.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for licensed practical nurses in Lafayette in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for licensed practical nurses in Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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