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How much do therapists make in Louisiana?

Whether you’re considering becoming a therapist or are already in practice, you may be curious about the average salary of providers in Louisiana.

November 13, 2026

By Ashley Abramson • Clinically reviewed by Caitlin Pugh, LCSW

6 min read

By Ashley Abramson • Clinically reviewed by Caitlin Pugh, LCSW

What to know

1

Therapists in Louisiana can earn anywhere from $23,000 to $122,000 annually, depending on their license type.

2

Psychiatrists in Louisiana typically make between $191,000 and $444,000 each year, given their extensive education and medical expertise.

3

How much a therapist earns in Louisiana depends on many different factors, including license type, work setting, geographic location, and whether they accept insurance.

4

Headway helps therapists increase profitability and reduce administrative stress with fast, free credentialing, plus built-in EHR that comes with billing and documentation support.

Understanding therapist salaries

If you’re wondering “How much does a therapist make?” the answer may be more nuanced than you think. While clarifying potential earnings as a therapist can help you set realistic goals and make the best decisions about your career and practice growth, your actual income hinges on many different factors.

For therapists in Louisiana and elsewhere, license type, geographic location, work setting, and the local demand for therapists all contribute to a therapist’s compensation. Whether or not a therapist accepts insurance also impacts their salary. Joining Headway can support higher earnings for therapists, thanks to fast, free credentialing that allows therapists to expand their client base quickly.

In this article, learn more about potential salary ranges for therapists in Louisiana with different license types, plus how Headway can help increase your profitability and allow you to support more clients with less stress.

How much you can make in Louisiana depends on your license type

A therapist’s license type is one of the most important factors affecting how much a therapist makes in Louisiana. Insurance companies determine reimbursement rates based on license type because each license has different educational requirements. For example, psychiatrists and psychologists spend more time on their education than MA-level providers, which means they usually earn more.

Because license type determines a therapist’s scope of practice, it also affects reimbursement. Psychiatrists earn more due to their medical background, but also because they can bill for things like lab work and prescribing medication. Similarly, on top of psychotherapy sessions, psychologists may bill for assessment.

Based on the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2025, the annual salary ranges for common therapist jobs in Louisiana are:

How much do therapists make per hour in Louisiana?

Based on the salary ranges above, mental health providers who accept insurance in Louisiana can earn anywhere from $11 to $213 an hour, but exact figures depend on license type, geographic location, and work environment. While psychologists and psychiatrists usually earn more due to their educational background, MA-level therapists typically fall on the lower end of the spectrum.

That said, these hourly ranges are a starting place, not a definitive amount. Hourly wages don’t align with how therapists actually make money (insurance reimbursement per session). Therapists also spend time on administrative tasks such as documentation, treatment coordination, and billing, all of which aren’t factored into their income.

If you’re planning potential earnings, per-session reimbursement rates can be a more helpful starting point. Headway helps therapists earn more by with fast, free insurance credentialing and by negotiating more competitive insurance reimbursement rates than most providers can secure on their own.

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What influences how much therapists make in Louisiana?

In general, therapist salaries in Louisiana are slightly below the national average. But several different factors can influence how much a therapist in Louisiana can make each year. Providers working in larger cities like New Orleans may earn more than their rural counterparts. Working in a specialized care setting may also boost earning potential.

How much can therapists make with Headway?

Joining Headway’s network of therapists helps mental health providers earn a more predictable income and spend more time supporting clients. Because Headway is always expanding its network of providers, it can negotiate competitive reimbursement rates — generally higher than most clinicians are able to secure on their own. Headway therapists also benefit from guaranteed, biweekly payments to support a consistent income.

Explore how much providers make in other states

Want to learn more about how much therapists can make in different states? Check out Headway’s growing salary resources for providers with different license types in the below states:

Louisiana therapist salary FAQs

Do therapists make more in Louisiana than the national average?

Based on the most recent data, therapists in Louisiana typically earn slightly less each year compared to the national average. License type, geographic location, work setting, and whether a therapist accepts insurance can all influence how much a therapist in Louisiana makes. While psychiatrists and psychologists generally have more earning potential, MA-level therapists in Louisiana and elsewhere usually earn less.

Is Louisiana a good state financially to practice as a therapist?

Louisiana can be a financially viable state for therapists, even though salaries generally fall below the national average. The state’s relatively affordable cost of living can help balance out lower earnings. Your earning potential will vary based on factors such as your license type, experience, practice location, and whether you accept insurance.

Does telehealth change how much a therapist can earn in Louisiana?

Telehealth can boost your earning potential as a therapist in Louisiana by helping you reach more clients while reducing the overhead costs of private practice. With Headway’s telehealth platform, you can offer secure virtual sessions and simplify administrative tasks like scheduling and insurance billing, freeing up more time to focus on client care.

What's the starting salary for a new therapist in Louisiana?

A therapist’s starting salary in Louisiana depends on factors including license type, geographic location, and practice setting. Based on the most recent reported salary ranges, mental health counselors can earn as little as $29,860 each year, with mental health social workers starting around $31,890 and marriage and family therapists beginning at $22,710.

How Headway helps you build a profitable practice

Ready to take the next step in your career as a mental health clinician? Headway helps therapists of all license types and backgrounds grow their client base and increase profitability with free practice management tools.

Fast, easy credentialing helps therapists access more clients and increase earnings with more competitive reimbursement rates than many therapists can obtain on their own. To decrease the administrative burden, Headway also offers a free, built-in EHR to support everyday tasks like billing and documentation.

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This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute clinical, legal, financial, or professional advice. All decisions should be made at the discretion of the individual or organization, in consultation with qualified clinical, legal, or other appropriate professionals.

© 2026 Therapymatch, Inc. dba Headway. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

Life as a provider