Registered Nurse Salary in Lafayette, LA
Registered Nurses in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median $81,960 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,416 take-home, or $5,368 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Lafayette, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,201
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,082
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,188
- Louisiana income tax$2,073
- Take-home pay$64,416
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.00% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Lafayette, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,490 | $30.52 | $51,676 | $4,306 |
| 25th percentile | $68,150 | $32.76 | $55,115 | $4,593 |
| Median (50th) | $81,960 | $39.40 | $64,416 | $5,368 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 | $72,256 | $6,021 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,300 | $50.63 | $80,136 | $6,678 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,960 buys in Lafayette, LA
Prices in Lafayette, LA are 12.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $64,416 take-home pay has the buying power of $73,864 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lafayette, LA has 1.3× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Lafayette, LA ranks #138 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 138 | Lafayette, LA | $81,960 | $64,416 | $73,864 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Lake Charles, LA — $90,690
- Alexandria, LA — $81,680
- Shreveport, LA — $80,080
- Monroe, LA — $78,270
- Hammond, LA — $76,200
- Houma, LA — $75,740
- Baton Rouge, LA — $81,130
- New Orleans, LA — $81,850
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Lafayette, LA?
The median registered nurse salary in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $81,960 a year, or about $39.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,150 and $93,600.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Lafayette, LA?
On the median $81,960 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $64,416 a year ($5,368 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,073 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 12.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $73,864 would in a typical U.S. city. Lafayette, LA ranks #138 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lafayette, LA is $847 a month ($974 for two bedrooms) — 16% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
- Pharmacist — $132,130
- Nurse Practitioner — $120,930
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $51,580
- Pharmacy Technician — $40,180