RN Salary in Louisiana: $80,230 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Louisiana earn a median of $80,230 per year — $38.57 an hour — $17,320 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #44 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Louisiana RNs earn between $63,800 and $104,740. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Louisiana RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Louisiana RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Louisiana With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Louisiana side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Louisiana | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $80,230 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $38.57/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $63,800 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $93,600 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $104,740 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 48,970 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Louisiana has 93 board-approved nursing programs across 57 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Louisiana?
RNs in Louisiana earn a median of $80,230 per year — $38.57 per hour — $17,320 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Louisiana #44 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Louisiana?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Louisiana, the 10th percentile is $63,800 and the 25th percentile is $69,040. Most RNs move toward the $80,230 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Louisiana earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Louisiana earn above $104,740 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Louisiana?
48,970 registered nurses are employed in Louisiana per the BLS May 2025 estimates.