Healthcare Resource
Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
In brief
RN salary data for Louisiana in 2026: average $63K, New Orleans vs Baton Rouge breakdown, Ochsner/LSU/Tulane pay rates, top employers, highest-paying specialties.
In this article
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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