How Much Does a Medical Assistant Make in Louisiana in 2026?

A typical Medical Assistant in Louisiana earns about $17.46 per hour ($36,320 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that works out to roughly $3,027 a month and $698 a week, based on the annual figure. Those numbers reflect the typical pay for the occupation across the state, not any single employer or setting.

That pay sits 21% below the national figure of $45,690 a year, according to the same wage data, placing Louisiana 49th out of 51 states and territories. Roughly 12,310 Medical Assistants work across the state, giving a sense of the field's size there. Lower pay in Louisiana generally tracks a lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states.

Entry-level positions in Louisiana typically offer around $13.93 an hour, or about $28,970 a year, for those just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $36,320 within the first few years on the job. New Medical Assistants often start in smaller clinics or general practice settings before moving into higher-paying specialties.

Experienced Medical Assistants in Louisiana often earn upwards of $21.38 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $44,460 a year. That leaves a spread of $15,490 between entry-level and top-tier pay across the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a role in where an individual lands within that range.

Louisiana's typical pay for Medical Assistants rose from $26,630 in 2015 to $36,320 in 2025, a gain of $9,690 over the decade. That amounts to a 36% rise in pay over ten years. The increase has been fairly steady year over year rather than a single sharp jump.

Nationally, typical pay for Medical Assistants rose 49% over the same decade, meaning Louisiana's gains lagged the national pace. Pay for the occupation has moved up in Louisiana over the past ten years, though there's no guarantee that trend continues at the same rate. Someone starting out today enters a field where pay has trended upward over time.

Pay runs highest in Lake Charles, where Medical Assistants typically earn $38,550 a year, about 6% above the statewide figure. Baton Rouge and Metairie also pay above the state figure, at $36,900 and $36,780 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Pay runs lowest in Alexandria, where Medical Assistants typically earn $34,290 a year, a spread of $4,260 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities in the state. Metairie has the largest Medical Assistant workforce in Louisiana, with 2,870 people working in the role. Cities with higher pay often also carry a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't always translate into more spending power.

Louisiana's typical pay for Medical Assistants trails all three of its neighbors. Texas pays the most nearby, at $39,520 a year, about 9% higher than Louisiana. Arkansas follows at $37,760, about 4% higher, while Mississippi comes in slightly lower at $35,360, about 3% below Louisiana's figure. Medical Assistant licensure or certification requirements in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, though requirements vary.

Medical Assistants in Louisiana typically earn $36,320 a year, or $17.46 an hour, with pay up 36% over the past decade. Entry-level positions start lower, while experienced Assistants and those in higher-paying cities like Lake Charles can earn more. For details on state licensing or registry requirements, check Louisiana's official licensing page, and for local figures, check the city-specific pages.