Registered Nurse salary in Lake Charles, LA
Registered Nurses in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $90,690 a year ($43.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,680 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 13% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $80,230. There are 24 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,570, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| 25th percentile | $69,520 | $33.43 |
| Median | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| 75th percentile | $97,090 | $46.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Average (mean) | $89,570 | $43.06 |
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 | $7,557.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,778.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,488.08 |
| Weekly | $1,744.04 |
| Hourly | $43.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dentists, General | $114,470 | $55.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,440 | $136.75 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $90,690 a year, or $43.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $121,680 a year. The top 25% earn $97,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,570 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $69,520 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 2,460 registered nurses are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.