Registered Nurse Salary in Lafayette, LA: $86,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Lafayette, LA earns a median $86,312/year (≈ $41.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $98,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median registered nurse salary in 2026 is $86,312, reflecting a notable 5.31% growth from previous years. With a salary range hitting as low as $66,861 at the P10 level and peaking at $110,891 at the P90 level, registered nurses in this market can expect varied compensation based on experience and specialty. When compared to the national median of $102,730, Lafayette's figures illustrate a gap that highlights the unique economic landscape of the area. This salary projection, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, is particularly significant in a region where staffing models increasingly differentiate between staff and travel nurses, positioning local registered nurse pay in Lafayette LA at a competitive yet challenging plateau.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,861 | $32.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,769 | $34.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,312 | $41.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,570 | $47.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,891 | $53.32 |
Median Salary Position
15.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,030 (2026 est.). At $86,312, the local median is 15.98% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $86,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $85,458 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $102,730 | -15.98% less |
Registered Nurses in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $86,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.98% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 1.00% above the Louisiana state average of $85,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $86,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,971 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,580
2025 BLS Actual
$81,960
2026 Current Est.
$86,312
2019–2027 Growth
+52.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,291 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 37.6% from $59,580 (2019) to $81,960 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,315 (52.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,861 – $71,769 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,769 – $86,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,312 – $98,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,570 – $110,891 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Lafayette
The employment landscape for registered nurses in Lafayette is robust, with approximately 4,930 registered nurses currently navigating the healthcare market. The cost-of-living index in Lafayette stands at 87.209, indicating that while salaries may lag behind national averages, the economic realities offer favorable purchasing power for local residents. Healthcare employers looking to attract top talent span a range of sectors, including major hospital systems and specialty clinics, where positions in critical care or surgical services often command higher wages. Factors contributing to the variation in pay include shift differentials, particularly for night and weekend shifts, and additional stipends for specialty certifications. To maximize earnings in this competitive environment, registered nurses should consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking roles within magnet-status facilities, and being open to shift flexibility that enhances hourly compensation.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,960 for registered nursesin the Lafayette metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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