SHREVEPORT, La. — Ochsner LSU Health will increase its minimum wage to $15 per hour, effective May 31, 2026, the health system announced.
The wage adjustment marks a continued investment in employee compensation as the organization seeks to support workforce stability and retention. The increase applies across the system’s operations in North Louisiana.
The move builds on compensation and benefits enhancements introduced since the formation of the Ochsner LSU Health partnership in 2018. Those efforts have included expanded employee benefits and financial wellness resources aimed at supporting staff across clinical and nonclinical roles.
“At Ochsner LSU Health, our mission begins and ends with the people we serve and the team members who make compassionate, high-quality care possible every day,” said David Callecod, chief executive officer of Ochsner LSU Health. “Our workforce is the heart of our organization, and we are deeply committed to ensuring they feel supported, valued and empowered to grow. When our team thrives, our patients and communities benefit.”
Ochsner LSU Health employs more than 4,200 workers across its network and partners with approximately 950 physicians and residents. The system provides care to more than 165,000 patients in North Louisiana through a network of hospitals, outpatient facilities and specialty clinics.
The organization operates three acute care hospitals, including a Level I trauma center in Shreveport and a Level III trauma center in Monroe, along with behavioral health services delivered in partnership with Oceans Healthcare.
The wage increase reflects broader industry trends as health systems nationwide face competitive labor markets and rising pressure to improve pay for frontline healthcare workers.