Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $39.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Ruston, LA runs $39.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,298 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, the registered nurse hourly pay is projected to be $39.50 in 2026, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $49.39. This discrepancy can impact professionals in various work arrangements, including those who work part-time or in per-diem roles. For instance, a registered nurse working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) would see their earnings amount to about $61,824 annually, a figure that makes a meaningful difference in personal finances, especially in the context of Ruston's cost of living index, which stands at 90.3. With an hourly range from entry-level positions earning $29.72 to experienced nurses reaching up to $52.68, opportunities exist for nurses in various settings such as hospitals, emergency departments, and outpatient clinics. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, illustrating a vital component of the healthcare landscape in Ruston.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($73,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.72 | $237.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.27 | $266.14 |
| Median (P50) | $39.50 | $316.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.49 | $355.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.68 | $421.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $39.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.50/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $82,164 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,402. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,580.07 | $6,847 | $82,164 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $948.04 | $4,108 | $49,298 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $632.03 | $2,739 | $32,865 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Ruston) | $39.50 |
| 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 Ruston, LA earn a median of $82,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.01% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $85,420.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.50/hr = $49,298/year (purchasing power: $54,594).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,164/year (purchasing power: $90,990).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Ruston grew 33.1% from $28.19/hr (2019) to $37.51/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.60/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 Ruston 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 Ruston
Understanding the earning potential of registered nurses in Ruston reveals a variety of paths and considerations. For those operating on a per-diem basis, rates can vary widely, with many professionals billing between $50 to $80 per hour based on their specialty. Travel nursing opportunities have also surged, offering contracts that can yield between $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, or even more for critical care positions, with rates sometimes exceeding $5,000 in high-demand markets. Employer types significantly influence hourly rates; while hospital systems may offer stable positions, surgical centers or home health agencies may provide different financial incentives. Registered nurses often weigh the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits like health insurance when considering job offers. Negotiating pay effectively can provide nurses in Ruston with opportunities to increase their compensation, whether through leveraging skills, specializing, or considering shifts that include differential pay for nights or weekends.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 Ruston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ruston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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