Nursing Trends
Licensed Practical Nurse/LVNs earn significantly more than their physician assistant counterparts in Louisiana. While they have a similar scope of practice, PAs are unable to operate autonomously and are limited to performing services assigned by a physician. In Louisiana, nurse practitioners earn the highest average salary of any nursing specialty. To learn more about nurse salaries in Louisiana, keep reading this article. The Louisiana Salary Guide is full of helpful information for prospective nursing professionals.
Nurse Salary in Louisiana
In Louisiana, nurses earn a salary ranging from $51,000 to more than $170,000. In 2013, there were 51,609 registered nurses (RNs) working in the state. A recent study shows that nearly seven thousand nursing students in the state are enrolled in RN-BSN or BSN pre-licensure programs. As a result, more RNs are opting to pursue a bachelor’s degree, which opens many doors to career advancement and larger salary potential.
The job outlook for nurses in Louisiana is good. Registered nurses with BSN degrees have more opportunities for employment than ADN graduates. A BSN can also pave the way for graduate study and higher salaries. Nurses with graduate degrees in nursing earn an average salary of $93,671 per year in Louisiana. Those who have a doctorate or an MBA earn an average salary of $161,050 a year. In Louisiana, there are more than three thousand jobs for registered nurses, and the salaries vary based on years of experience and additional skills.
Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana
The average Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana is $63,560 per year, $30.56 per hour. The range for this position is $63,560 to $85,283, with higher salaries associated with additional skills and education. Salary data for Louisiana is based on surveys of employers’ salaries, as well as third-party data sources. RNs in Metairie earn less than nurse anesthetists, licensed practical nurses, and dental hygienists, though there is some variation among these professions.
In 2013, there were 51,609 RNs working in Louisiana. Among them, nearly seven thousand students were enrolled in BSN or RN-BSN programs. As with other professions, getting a bachelor’s degree can lead to higher salary potential. However, not all nurses are skilled in this field. There are many benefits to having a bachelor’s degree, including more clinical responsibilities and the opportunity for career advancement.
| Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary | |
| Registered Nurse RN Salary Louisiana | $30.56 | $1,222 | $5,297 | $63,560 |
| U.S. Registered Nurse RN Salary | $35.36 | $1,414 | $6,129 | $73,550 |
| U.S. National Average Salary | $24.34 | $973 | $4,218 | $50,620 |
Nurse Practitioner Salary in Louisiana
The average gross salary of a nurse practitioner in Louisiana is $98,780 per year, or $47.49 an hour, plus a bonus of $2,357. Salary data was collected from survey data of Louisiana employers. The pay ranges from $80,477 for entry-level positions to $141,575 for senior-level positions. Nurse practitioners can expect to see an 18 percent increase in salary over five years.
While the national average is $50,620 per year, nurse practitioner salaries in Louisiana range from $45,400 to $120,560 annually. In Baton Rouge, the average salary is $97,230, or 12 percent less than the state average. In Lafayette, the unofficial capital of the Bayou State’s oil and gas industry, nurse practitioners earn an average of $90,580 a year. In Louisiana, the average salary for a nurse practitioner is $144,010.
| Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary | |
| Nurse Practitioner Salary Louisiana | $47.49 | $1,900 | $8,232 | $98,780 |
| U.S. Nurse Practitioner Salary | $51.68 | $2,067 | $8,957 | $107,480 |
| U.S. National Average Salary | $24.34 | $973 | $4,218 | $50,620 |
Licensed Practical Nurse /LVN Salary in Louisiana
The average LVN/licensed practical nurse salary in Louisiana is $38,530 a year. This is the same as the salary of other closely related careers in the state. However, licensed practical nurses earn less than surgical assistants and radiologic technologists. In Louisiana, there are a few different types of LPNs, each earning an average salary between $33,000 and $50,400. In addition, the job market for this career is expected to grow at a rate of 12.3%.
LVN salaries are much higher in the top ten cities in Louisiana. However, the cost of living is higher in a few areas, such as New Orleans, Metairie, and Lafayette. Although the salaries in these areas may seem comparable, living expenses can greatly affect your salary. Fortunately, Louisiana has a lower cost of living than most other states. You will be able to earn more if you choose to live in a city where housing and health care costs are cheaper.
| Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary | |
| Licensed Practical Nurse LPN/LVN Salary Louisiana | $18.52 | $741 | $3,211 | $38,530 |
| U.S. Licensed Practical Nurse LPN/LVN Salary | $21.98 | $918 | $3,976 | $47,710 |
| U.S. National Average Salary | $24.34 | $973 | $4,218 | $50,620 |
Nurse Anesthetist CRNA Salary in Louisiana
The Average CRNA Salary in Louisiana is $147,090. This figure includes Federal and State taxes. The Average CRNA Salary in Louisiana also includes local and state taxes. The overall salary for Nurse Anesthetists in Louisiana is 32 percent lower than the national average. Nevertheless, starting salaries for CRNAs in Louisiana are still below average. Nevertheless, nurse anesthetists in Louisiana should consider working beyond their state’s average salary to earn more.
The Louisiana CRNA Salary is higher than the national average, and employment for CRNAs in the state is expected to grow by 9.09% over the next 8 years. The cost of living in Louisiana is significantly lower than the national average, according to Sperling’s Best Places to Live. Some of the state’s top hospital systems include Ochsner Medical Center, Willis-Knighton Medical Center, and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Centre.
| Hourly Wage | Weekly Wage | Monthly Salary | Annual Salary | |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist CRNA Salary Louisiana | $88.96 | $3,558 | $15,420 | $185,040 |
| U.S. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist CRNA Salary | $81.47 | $3,258 | $14,120 | 169,450 |
| U.S. National Average Salary | $24.34 | $973 | $4,218 | $50,620 |
