Nursing Assistant salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Nursing Assistants in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $34,320 a year ($16.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,660 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,220 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 12% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $30,510. There are 8.2 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,280, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,690 | $13.79 |
| 25th percentile | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Median | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| 75th percentile | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Average (mean) | $34,280 | $16.48 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,860 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,430 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,320 |
| Weekly | $660 |
| Hourly | $16.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,050 | 1,030 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $33,850 | 730 |
| Hammond, LA | $33,010 | 600 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $32,160 | 2,330 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $31,220 | 3,500 |
| Alexandria, LA | $30,650 | 910 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $30,140 | 630 |
| Lafayette, LA | $29,960 | 1,990 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,880 | 1,340 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $23,650 | $11.37 |
| Orderly | $27,270 | $13.11 |
| Medical Assistant | $36,780 | $17.69 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Dental Assistant | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $73,980 | $35.57 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| Massage Therapist | $39,500 | $18.99 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,320 | $18.43 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,350 | $18.44 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $34,320 a year, or $16.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $38,220 a year. The top 25% earn $36,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,690 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $30,260 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 3,660 nursing assistants are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.