Registered Nurse salary in Lafayette, LA
Registered Nurses in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $81,960 a year ($39.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,300 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $80,230. There are 27 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| 25th percentile | $68,150 | $32.77 |
| Median | $81,960 | $39.41 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,300 | $50.63 |
| Average (mean) | $84,630 | $40.69 |
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 | $6,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,415 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,152.31 |
| Weekly | $1,576.15 |
| Hourly | $39.41 |
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 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $81,850 | 11,530 |
| Alexandria, LA | $81,680 | 2,170 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $81,160 | 3,190 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $81,130 | 8,290 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,130 | $63.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,930 | $58.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,900 | $39.38 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dentists, General | $171,860 | $82.63 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Physicians, All Other | $299,990 | $144.23 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,200 | $30.38 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,300 | $103.99 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Veterinarian | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Chiropractor | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, 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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $81,960 a year, or $39.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $105,300 a year. The top 25% earn $93,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,490 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $68,150 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Lafayette, LA?
About 4,930 registered nurses are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.