Anesthesiologist Salary in Louisiana: $399,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $399,369/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $442,269 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Baton Rouge ($398,210), New Orleans ($393,252), Lafayette ($391,588).
In 2026, anesthesiologist salaries in Louisiana have an average median salary of $399,370, which is approximately 2.4% lower than the national median of $409,107. The highest-paying city in the state is Baton Rouge, offering an average salary of $416,129, while Thibodaux ranks as the lowest paying city at $366,878. This salary gap of $49,251 between the two cities can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, local healthcare demand, and the availability of medical facilities. Louisiana's state licensing requirements for anesthesiologists are stringent, which ensures a well-regulated practice environment. The scope of practice laws allow anesthesiologists to operate in diverse settings, further enhancing their job options. The demand for anesthesia services is driven by the growing number of surgical procedures and an aging population, supporting a projected annual growth rate of 4.50% for anesthesiologists’ employment in the state. Overall, the job market for anesthesiologists in Louisiana shows promise, with key cities like New Orleans, Lafayette, and Metairie offering competitive salaries at $410,948, $409,209, and $404,120 respectively. As the demand for specialized medical services continues to rise, opportunities for anesthesiologists in Louisiana remain strong.
Louisiana Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $212,789 (lowest entry-level) to $616,316 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana anesthesiologists earn 2.38% less than the national median ($-9,738/year difference).
Louisiana Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in Louisiana range from $231,634 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $574,525 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $399,369. The Louisiana median is $9,738 below the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $192.00/hr. Approximately 301 anesthesiologists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$293,468
2025 BLS Actual
$382,172
2026 Current Est.
$399,369
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $293,468 | Actual |
| 2020 | $306,674 | Actual |
| 2021 | $320,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $334,896 | Actual |
| 2023 | $349,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $307,561 | Actual |
| 2025 | $382,172 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $399,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $417,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $293,468 (2019) to $382,172 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $417,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $123,873 (42.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 4.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $366,878 |
| Sulphur | $368,647 |
| Zachary | $370,775 |
| Natchitoches | $372,544 |
| Hammond | $374,613 |
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $416,129 | 90.3 | $460,829 |
| New Orleans | $410,948 | 90.3 | $455,092 |
| Lafayette | $409,209 | 90.3 | $453,166 |
| Metairie | $404,120 | 90.3 | $447,530 |
| Shreveport | $401,253 | 90.3 | $444,355 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $231,634 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $399,369 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $574,525 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $416,129 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $410,948 |
| 3 | Lafayette | $409,209 |
| 4 | Metairie | $404,120 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $401,253 |
| 6 | Lake Charles | $393,497 |
| 7 | Kenner | $390,592 |
| 8 | Bossier City | $388,413 |
| 9 | Slidell | $387,310 |
| 10 | Houma | $385,732 |
| 11 | Monroe | $384,434 |
| 12 | Ruston | $383,367 |
| 13 | Central | $382,980 |
| 14 | Alexandria | $381,061 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $377,659 |
| 16 | Hammond | $374,613 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $372,544 |
| 18 | Zachary | $370,775 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $368,647 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $366,878 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Louisiana?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for anesthesiologists?
Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 4.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 anesthesiologist compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more anesthesiologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov