CNA Salary

New Orleans vs Sulphur: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between New Orleans, LA and Sulphur, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$36,551
$17.57/hr
Sulphur, LA
$31,209
$15.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASulphur, LA
Median Salary$36,551$31,209
Hourly Rate$17.57$15.01
Entry Level (P10)$30,555$27,249
25th Percentile$32,227$28,564
75th Percentile$39,213$33,837
Top Earner (P90)$40,704$35,913
Total Employed3,6605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($36,551) and Sulphur ($31,209) certified nursing assistant salaries.New OrleansSulphurMedian Salary$36,551$31,209Entry Level (P10)$30,555$27,249Top Earner (P90)$40,704$35,913US Median $45,007

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sulphur.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Sulphur is $5,342 (17.12%). New Orleans's median is -18.79% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $10,149,Sulphur spans $8,664. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$30,555
P25$32,227
Median$36,551
P75$39,213
P90 (Top)$40,704
Sulphur
P10 (Entry)$27,249
P25$28,564
Median$31,209
P75$33,837
P90 (Top)$35,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($39,473 effective) pays 14.21% more than Sulphur ($34,561 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $36,551
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $39,473
Sulphur
Nominal: $31,209
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $34,561

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,551/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($40,704)
  • Larger job market (3,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,473)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Sulphur if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in New Orleans grew 44.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.0% growth in Sulphur over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+44.1%

$23,810 (2019) → $34,320 (2025)

Sulphur, LA

+17.0%

$25,050 (2024) → $29,304 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: New Orleans or Sulphur?

New Orleans has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $36,551/year, compared to Sulphur at $31,209/year — a difference of $5,342 (17.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Sulphur?

New Orleans certified nursing assistants earn $17.57/hr while Sulphur hygienists earn $15.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Sulphur as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Sulphur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $39,473, Sulphur = $34,561), job availability (3,660 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in New Orleans vs Sulphur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $30,555 in New Orleans and $27,249 in Sulphur. The New Orleans area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov