RN Salary in Louisiana: Average Pay & Influencing Factors

Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana

Average annual salary for RNs in Louisiana: $69,310 (BLS data).

Factors Affecting Individual Salary

• Facility type/size: Large hospitals > clinics > long-term care > home health
• Experience: Entry ~$55K; 10+ years ~$85K+
• Specialty: ICU, ER, OR, L&D, Cath Lab > Med-Surg
• Education: BSN premium $2-5K; MSN for advanced roles
• Certification: CCRN, CEN, CNOR, etc. add 3-5%
• Shift differentials: Nights +10-15%, weekends +5-10%
• Geography within state: New Orleans/Baton Rouge > rural (but rural may have bonuses)

Louisiana Context

• Below national median ($77,600)
• Lower cost of living partially offsets
• Nurse Licensure Compact state (multi-state license)
• Growing demand in underserved areas

For current figures, check Louisiana State Board of Nursing workforce reports or BLS OEWS.