Registered Nurse salary in Louisiana
Registered Nurses in Louisiana earn a median of $80,230 a year ($38.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 48,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,740 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $97,550. Louisiana ranks 44th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 25 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| 25th percentile | $69,040 | $33.19 |
| Median | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,740 | $50.36 |
| Average (mean) | $84,190 | $40.48 |
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 | $6,685.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,342.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,085.77 |
| Weekly | $1,542.88 |
| Hourly | $38.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Louisiana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $350,920 | $168.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Dentists, General | $170,750 | $82.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | $61.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,330 | $122.75 |
| Veterinarian | $124,370 | $59.79 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,130 | $106.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,460 | $33.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for registered nurses in Louisiana is $80,230 a year, or $38.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Louisiana earn at least $104,740 a year. The top 25% earn $93,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,800 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $69,040 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Louisiana?
About 48,970 registered nurses are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.