Registered Nurse salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Registered Nurses in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $81,850 a year ($39.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,180 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 2% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $80,230. There are 26 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,660 | $31.57 |
| 25th percentile | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Median | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| 75th percentile | $95,140 | $45.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,180 | $49.61 |
| Average (mean) | $86,630 | $41.65 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,820.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,410.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,148.08 |
| Weekly | $1,574.04 |
| Hourly | $39.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA | $90,690 | 2,460 |
| Lafayette, LA | $81,960 | 4,930 |
| Alexandria, LA | $81,680 | 2,170 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $81,160 | 3,190 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $81,130 | 8,290 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $80,080 | 6,390 |
| Monroe, LA | $78,270 | 2,340 |
| Hammond, LA | $76,200 | 1,260 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $75,740 | 1,460 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $326,440 | $156.94 |
| Pharmacist | $128,100 | $61.59 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,580 | $59.90 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Dentists, General | $198,050 | $95.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,690 | $159.95 |
| Veterinarian | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,180 | $35.18 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,280 | $103.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for registered nurses in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $81,850 a year, or $39.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $103,180 a year. The top 25% earn $95,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,660 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $75,030 or less.
How many registered nurses work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 11,530 registered nurses are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.