Registered Nurses in Louisiana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Louisiana Registered Nurses earned a median annual wage of $78,880 in 2024, about 17% below the US median of $94,511. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners is worth noting. A nurse at the 10th percentile earned $62,830, while one at the 90th earned $111,810. Top earners make roughly 1.8 times what those at the bottom of the range do, which reflects how much experience, specialty, and setting shift pay within nursing.
Louisiana's cost of living runs below the national average, with an index of 92.4 compared to the US baseline of 100. Once you account for what the money actually buys, the $78,880 median works out closer to $85,400 in national-baseline dollars. That closes roughly half the gap with the national figure.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, which falls in the average range for all occupations. Louisiana had 46,790 Registered Nurses employed in 2024, making it a substantial part of the state's healthcare workforce.
Salary distribution
Where Louisiana registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $69,040 and $93,600, with a median of $80,230.
Registered Nurses in Louisiana: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 127 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $68,432. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $67,392 |
| Level II — qualified | 21 | $67,392 |
| Level III — experienced | 84 | $68,432 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $106,080 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Louisiana. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Children's Medical Center | Float Pool RN | 101 | $68,432 |
| Ochsner Clinic Foundation | Registered Nurse, Staff RN - BSN MedSurg/Tele/SD | 18 | $67,392 |
| Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana | Registered Nurse, RN - BSN OR/Surgery | 4 | $65,676 |
| Touro Infirmary | Registered Nurse | 2 | $91,094 |
| Southwest Louisiana Hospital Association | Staff Nurse - RN | 1 | $64,272 |
| University Healthcare System, L.C. | Registered Nurse | 1 | $71,760 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Float Pool RN at Louisiana Children's Medical Center$68,432MarreroWage Level IIIDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26082-722961
- Registered Nurse, Staff RN - BSN MedSurg/Tele/SD at Ochsner LSU Health System of North Louisiana$64,064ShreveportWage Level IIDecided Feb 17, 2026I-200-26040-627827
- Registered Nurse, Staff RN - BSN Critical Care at Ochsner Clinic Foundation$67,392New OrleansWage Level IIDecided Jan 21, 2026I-200-26013-555031
- Emergency Department RN at Louisiana Children's Medical Center$62,400New OrleansDecided Mar 30, 2026I-200-26083-724090
- Cardiac Critical Care Stepdown RN at Louisiana Children's Medical Center$68,432New OrleansWage Level IIIDecided Mar 26, 2026I-200-26078-715674
- Medical and Surgical ICU RN at Louisiana Children's Medical Center$68,432MetairieWage Level IIIDecided Mar 25, 2026I-200-26077-712823
- Critical Care Unit RN at Louisiana Children's Medical Center$68,432MetairieWage Level IIIDecided Mar 25, 2026I-200-26077-712910
- Float Pool RN at Louisiana Children's Medical Center$68,432MarreroWage Level IIIDecided Mar 25, 2026I-200-26077-712943
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Louisiana
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses specialties in Louisiana
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 95 certified offers. The most common variant is Registered Nurse, Staff RN - BSN MedSurg/Tele/SD at a median of $67,392.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse, Staff RN - BSN MedSurg/Tele/SD | Ochsner Clinic Foundation | 23 | $67,392 |
| Float Pool RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 16 | $68,432 |
| Emergency Department RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 12 | $68,432 |
| PACU RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 9 | $68,432 |
| Operating Room RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 9 | $68,432 |
| Labor and Delivery RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 5 | $68,432 |
| Medical and Surgical ICU RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 5 | $68,432 |
| ICU RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 4 | $68,432 |
| Rehab RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 3 | $68,432 |
| Critical Care Unit RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 3 | $68,432 |
| Neuro ICU RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 3 | $68,432 |
| NICU RN | Louisiana Children's Medical Center | 3 | $68,432 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Louisiana over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Louisiana metropolitan areas.
- New Orleans$81,850
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Louisiana with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Louisiana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Louisiana is $80,230.
- How does Louisiana compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Louisiana median is -18.4% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Louisiana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,800 and the 90th-percentile at $104,740, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.