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Registered Nurse Salary in New Orleans, LA — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for New Orleans's cost of living (index: 96). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Registered Nurse Salary in New Orleans — Key Numbers

$82,627
Median Salary
$66,134
25th Percentile
$103,382
75th Percentile
$127,373
90th Percentile
National median (Registered Nurse)$86,070
vs. National median-4.0%
New Orleans median household income$52,000
vs. City household income+58.9%

Cost of Living in New Orleans

Cost of Living Index
96(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,271/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio18.5%
Annual rent cost$15,252
Median Home Price$245,000
Home Price / Salary3.0×
20% Down Payment$49,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.0 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 New Orleans

5.4%
Unemployment Rate
1,290,000
Metro Population
27 min
Avg Commute
38.1
Median Age

New Orleans has a metro population of 1,290,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 5.4% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for New Orleans

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Cost of Living — New Orleans
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Registered Nurse Salary in Louisiana
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in New Orleans

Physician$220,128Chief Executive Officer$201,600Dentist$168,490IT Manager$162,730Marketing Manager$151,315Lawyer$139,930

Registered Nurse Salary — Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA$75,742Shreveport, LA$70,577

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in New Orleans, LA?

The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in New Orleans is $82,627 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by New Orleans's cost of living index (96). The typical salary range runs from $66,134 (25th percentile) to $103,382 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $127,373.

Is New Orleans affordable for a Registered Nurse?

On a $82,627 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in New Orleans would spend approximately 18.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,271/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making New Orleans relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $245,000 is 3.0× the annual salary.

How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to New Orleans's overall income?

New Orleans's median household income is $52,000. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $82,627 earns 58.9% more than the typical New Orleans 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.