Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Louisiana
A nursing assistant in Louisiana earns an estimated $36,340 a year ($17.47/hr) — about 14% below the U.S. average, with most between $32,040 and $40,610. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Louisiana
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$36,340
-14% vs nationalHourly
$17.47/hr
- Typical range
- $32,040–$40,610
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $44,700
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $29,190
- Newer nurses
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by city in Louisiana
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Baton Rouge | $37,190 | $17.88 |
Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in nearby-paying states
How Louisiana compares to states with similar nursing assistant pay.
Other nursing roles in Louisiana
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects nursing assistant pay in Louisiana
Pay below the national median. For a nursing assistant specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The Louisiana figure adjusts the national RN average of $42,260 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.86× (about 14% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Louisiana wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Louisiana, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Louisiana make this page more precise over time.
Nursing Assistant salary in Louisiana — FAQ
- How much does a nursing assistant make in Louisiana?
- A nursing assistant in Louisiana earns an estimated $36,340 a year — about $17.47 an hour, with most between $32,040 and $40,610. That's about 14% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Louisiana's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Louisiana a good state for nursing assistants?
- For pay, Louisiana sits about 14% below the national average for nursing assistants. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $36,340 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Louisiana pays nursing assistants the most?
- Among Louisiana metros we track, New Orleans tends to have the highest estimated pay for nursing assistants, at roughly $37,190 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Louisiana nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a nursing assistant is about $42,260 a year, versus an estimated $36,340 in Louisiana — about 14% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Louisiana figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.86×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for Louisiana. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.