Registered Nurse salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Registered Nurses in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $81,130 a year ($39.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,230 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $80,230. There are 20 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| 25th percentile | $66,740 | $32.09 |
| Median | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| 75th percentile | $87,690 | $42.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,230 | $49.63 |
| Average (mean) | $84,000 | $40.39 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,760.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,380.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,120.38 |
| Weekly | $1,560.19 |
| Hourly | $39.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $90,690 | 2,460 |
| Lafayette, LA | $81,960 | 4,930 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $81,850 | 11,530 |
| Alexandria, LA | $81,680 | 2,170 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $81,160 | 3,190 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $80,080 | 6,390 |
| Monroe, LA | $78,270 | 2,340 |
| Hammond, LA | $76,200 | 1,260 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $75,740 | 1,460 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $413,620 | $198.86 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,070 | $62.05 |
| Pharmacist | $134,680 | $64.75 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Dentists, General | $185,430 | $89.15 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,700 | $44.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,670 | $62.82 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,220 | $35.68 |
| Veterinarian | $126,890 | $61.01 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,940 | $34.10 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $268,210 | $128.95 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,390 | $48.26 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $81,130 a year, or $39.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $103,230 a year. The top 25% earn $87,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,330 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $66,740 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 8,290 registered nurses are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.