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Registered Nurse Salary in Baton Rouge, LA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Baton Rouge's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Registered Nurse Salary in Baton Rouge — Key Numbers

$75,742
Median Salary
$60,623
25th Percentile
$94,767
75th Percentile
$116,758
90th Percentile
National median (Registered Nurse)$86,070
vs. National median-12.0%
Baton Rouge median household income$55,800
vs. City household income+35.7%

Cost of Living in Baton Rouge

Cost of Living Index
88(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$800/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio12.7%
Annual rent cost$9,600
Median Home Price$220,000
Home Price / Salary2.9×
20% Down Payment$44,000
Years to save (20% rate)2.9 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Baton Rouge

4.6%
Unemployment Rate
870,000
Metro Population
25 min
Avg Commute
33.3
Median Age

Baton Rouge has a metro population of 870,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.6% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Baton Rouge

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Cost of Living — Baton Rouge
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Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Baton Rouge

Physician$201,784Chief Executive Officer$184,800Dentist$154,449IT Manager$149,169Marketing Manager$138,706Lawyer$128,269

Registered Nurse Salary — Other Louisiana Cities

New Orleans, LA$82,627Shreveport, LA$70,577

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in Baton Rouge, LA?

The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Baton Rouge is $75,742 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Baton Rouge's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $60,623 (25th percentile) to $94,767 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $116,758.

Is Baton Rouge affordable for a Registered Nurse?

On a $75,742 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Baton Rouge would spend approximately 12.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($800/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Baton Rouge relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $220,000 is 2.9× the annual salary.

How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Baton Rouge's overall income?

Baton Rouge's median household income is $55,800. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $75,742 earns 35.7% more than the typical Baton Rouge household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Registered Nurse — NationalRegistered Nurse in LouisianaAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.