Medical Assistant Salary in Louisiana: $38,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $38,227/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $42,333 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lake Charles ($38,550), Metairie ($36,914), Baton Rouge ($36,900).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for medical assistants in 2026 is projected to be $38,227, which is approximately 20.3% lower than the national median of $47,961. Within the state, Lake Charles offers the highest pay at $40,466, while Sulphur has the lowest at $35,021, demonstrating a salary gap of $5,445. This disparity can be attributed to the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in specific areas. Louisiana has particular licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the role of medical assistants, along with a growing healthcare sector driven by an increasing population and an aging demographic. The total employment for medical assistants in the state stands at 11,429, reflecting a strong job market that is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 4.97%. Metropolitan areas such as Metairie, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans follow Lake Charles in salary rankings, with projected earnings of $38,749, $38,734, and $38,608 respectively. These salary figures highlight the regional variations influenced by local economies and healthcare infrastructure, offering insights for prospective medical assistants considering their employment options in Louisiana.
Louisiana Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $24,458 (lowest entry-level) to $52,548 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana medical assistants earn 20.3% less than the national median ($-9,734/year difference).
Louisiana Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in Louisiana range from $30,743 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $45,623 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $38,227. The Louisiana median is $9,734 below the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $18.38/hr. Approximately 11,429 medical assistants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,844
2025 BLS Actual
$36,417
2026 Current Est.
$38,227
2019–2027 Growth
+34.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,844 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,495 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,288 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,706 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,685 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,417 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 22.0% from $29,844 (2019) to $36,417 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,283 (34.46%) 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 4.97% 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 |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $35,021 |
| Zachary | $35,224 |
| Thibodaux | $35,372 |
| Natchitoches | $35,392 |
| New Iberia | $35,878 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles | $40,466 | 85.852 | $47,135 |
| Hammond | $38,503 | 84.46 | $45,587 |
| Shreveport | $38,010 | 84.766 | $44,841 |
| Monroe | $36,141 | 83.597 | $43,232 |
| Metairie | $38,749 | 90.3 | $42,911 |
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) | $30,743 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $38,227 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $45,623 |
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 | Lake Charles | $40,466 |
| 2 | Metairie | $38,749 |
| 3 | Baton Rouge | $38,734 |
| 4 | New Orleans | $38,608 |
| 5 | Hammond | $38,503 |
| 6 | Shreveport | $38,010 |
| 7 | Slidell | $37,737 |
| 8 | Bossier City | $37,406 |
| 9 | Kenner | $37,106 |
| 10 | Lafayette | $36,677 |
| 11 | Ruston | $36,419 |
| 12 | Central | $36,383 |
| 13 | Monroe | $36,141 |
| 14 | Houma | $36,131 |
| 15 | Alexandria | $35,994 |
| 16 | New Iberia | $35,878 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $35,392 |
| 18 | Thibodaux | $35,372 |
| 19 | Zachary | $35,224 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $35,021 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in Louisiana?
How many medical assistants are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for medical assistants?
Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
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 4.97% 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 medical assistant compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute 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, 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 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov