What RNs earn in New Orleans
Registered nurses in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro earn a median of $81,850 a year, 16% below the national RN median of $97,550. The middle half of RNs here earn between $75,030 and $95,140, so experience, specialty and shift differentials can move you a long way inside that range. Among the 60 metro markets The RN Network tracks, New Orleans ranks #56 for median RN pay.
| Role | Median | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,850 | $75,030 – $95,140 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | $114,930 – $132,380 |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) | $216,280 | $214,290 – $273,070 |
Powered by RN Workforce Insights™ · 2025 annual pay. Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile.
Cost of living and the New Orleans nursing market
Pay only tells half the story. A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent runs about $1,331 a month in New Orleans, which is roughly 20% of a median RN salary before taxes. That leaves RNs here more room in the budget than in most big nursing markets.
About 11,530 RNs work in this metro, the #54 largest RN workforce of the markets we track. The RN Network directory lists 95 healthcare employers in New Orleans and Metairie, including 30 behavioral health facilities, 22 dialysis centers, 16 long-term care facilities and 13 hospitals.
Hospitals hiring nurses in New Orleans
Every hospital below has its own page with pay context, nearby openings and a direct line to its careers site.
Nursing jobs in New Orleans
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Career advice for New Orleans nurses
Watch the latest episode of Nursing Matters, the show that helps nurses find the right job, land the offer and grow their careers.
You Passed the NCLEX. Can You Lose This License? Nursing Matters Episode 102626
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Happy Medical-Surgical Nurses Week, which the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses celebrates November 1 through 7 and which opens today.
Read the article →Common questions about nursing in New Orleans
How much do registered nurses make in New Orleans?
The median RN salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro is $81,850 a year, and the middle half of RNs earn between $75,030 and $95,140.
What do nurse practitioners earn in New Orleans?
Nurse practitioners in the New Orleans metro earn a median of $124,800 a year.
Can a nurse afford to live in New Orleans?
A two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent costs about $1,331 a month in New Orleans, roughly 20% of a median RN salary before taxes.
Which hospitals hire nurses in New Orleans?
Hospitals in the New Orleans area include Ochsner Medical Center Acute, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, Touro Infirmary, East Jefferson General Hospital, University Medical Center New Orleans. See the full list in The RN Network facility directory.
How do I find a nursing job in New Orleans?
Browse current Louisiana openings on The RN Network job board, claim your free Talent Agent profile so employers hiring in New Orleans can find you, and compare pay using the Louisiana salary guide.