Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Houma, LA: $38.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Houma, LA runs $38.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,762 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Houma's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.1, 15% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,853 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected at $38.34 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.39. This rate presents opportunities for both full-time and part-time nurses, including those who work three days a week, as well as per diem nurses who may find flexible scheduling appealing. Hourly pay varies widely as entry-level RNs might earn around $27.93, while experienced professionals in specialized settings such as ICUs, emergency departments, or operating rooms could earn upwards of $51.72. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflects a salary range from $27.93 to $51.72, signaling diverse opportunities dependent on experience, specialty, and the demands of the healthcare setting.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.93 | $223.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.75 | $246.00 |
| Median (P50) | $38.34 | $306.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.86 | $326.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.72 | $413.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houma
Based on $38.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.34/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houma, LA can expect to earn approximately $79,754 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,012. With a cost-of-living index of 85.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houma.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houma
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,533.73 | $6,646 | $79,754 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $920.24 | $3,988 | $47,853 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $613.49 | $2,658 | $31,902 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Houma) | $38.34 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Houma, LA earn a median of $79,762 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.36% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 6.70% below the Louisiana state average of $85,490.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.34/hr = $47,853/year (purchasing power: $56,229).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,754/year (purchasing power: $93,715).
CoL index: 85.103 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Houma grew 25.5% from $29.02/hr (2019) to $36.41/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.38/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Houma
Considering part-time work, a registered nurse in Houma putting in 24 hours a week can expect to take home an annual pay significantly lower than a full-time counterpart. A per diem registered nurse can have a more lucrative arrangement, billing $50 to $80 per hour based on specialty and demand. Particularly during staffing shortages, travel nurses can command contracts that pay them between $2,000 to $4,500 a week, with some critical care specialties offering rates as high as $5,000 to $8,000 per week. Variations in pay can also arise depending on the employer type, as hospitals may offer different rates compared to home health agencies or specialty clinics. Nurses frequently weigh the advantages of higher hourly pay without benefits against the security of a salaried position that includes health insurance. For those negotiating their registered nurse hourly rate in Houma, understanding these dynamics and the regional market can significantly impact earning potential.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Houma. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov