Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Louisiana in 2026 is $63,100/year ($30.34/hour). New Orleans is the premium market driven by Ochsner Health, Tulane Medical Center, and LSU Health. Baton Rouge is a strong secondary market.
RN Salary by City in Louisiana
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Metro | $68,000 | Ochsner, Tulane/HCA, LSU Health — academic and trauma premium |
| Baton Rouge | $64,500 | Our Lady of the Lake, Baton Rouge General, Ochsner BR |
| Shreveport | $60,500 | Willis-Knighton, University Health — NW Louisiana |
| Lafayette | $60,000 | Ochsner Lafayette General, Our Lady of Lourdes — Acadiana |
Top Louisiana Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Ochsner Health — largest private employer in LA; highest base rates statewide; Magnet-designated flagship
- Our Lady of the Lake (Baton Rouge) — largest Baton Rouge hospital; Franciscan Missionaries Catholic system
- LSU Health New Orleans / Tulane Medical Center — academic systems; Level I trauma premium
- Willis-Knighton (Shreveport) — dominant NW LA system
Compact License Status
Louisiana is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Louisiana without a separate endorsement.
Louisiana RN Job Market Outlook
Ochsner is the dominant statewide recruiter with a strong national brand. Travel RN rates in New Orleans run $1,600–$2,100/week. Rural Louisiana (Bayou country, central LA, North LA) has significant nursing shortages with state loan repayment programs and geographic premiums.
Related: RN Salary Georgia 2026, RN Salary Tennessee 2026, Louisiana RN License Guide.
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