The Louisiana Workforce Commission named both nurse administrators and executives and nurse practitioners among the top Star Jobs for 2019, thanks to their excellent job growth outlook and pay through 2026.
Nurse administrators/executives and nurse practitioners, along with a number of other advanced nursing professionals, often possess a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)—the highest level of practical training available to nurses.
And the good news is that many Louisiana RNs are choosing the DNP. The Louisiana Center for Nursing’s Nursing Education Capacity and Nursing Supply in Louisiana 2017 report found that 45% of all doctoral prepared RNs renewing their license held a DNP, compared to just 14% who held a PhD.
Plus, as of 2016, there were 482 RNs in Louisiana pursuing a DNP, compared with just 49 who were pursuing a PhD.
This practice-based doctorate offers significant economic benefits to nurses who possess it. According to a 2018 Advance Healthcare Network survey, DNP-educated NPs earned 7% more than NPs with a master’s as their highest degree.
Statewide Salary Data for DNP-Educated APRNs and More in Louisiana
DNP-educated nurses in all their various roles are consistently recognized for earning top salaries (Louisiana Workforce Commission, 2018):
- Nurse Administrators – $112,250-$149,970
- Nurse Practitioners – $121,790-$149,220
- Nurse Anesthetists – $179,980-$206,630
- Nurse Educators – $86,130-$121,040
Salaries for DNP Nurses in the Major Cities of Louisiana
The Louisiana Workforce Commission provides salary information for DNP-educated advanced nursing professionals in the major cities of the state (2018):
Nurse Administrators and Executives:
- New Orleans: $119,490-$158,590
- Baton Rouge: $107,970-$144,030
- Shreveport: $114,020-$155,140
- Lafayette: $101,560-$127,790
Nurse Educators:
- New Orleans: $99,190-$127,500
Nurse Practitioners:
- New Orleans: $110,700-$130,780
- Baton Rouge: $123,920-$145,610
- Shreveport: $127,820-$182,780
- Lafayette: $121,400-$147,300
Nurse Anesthetists:
- New Orleans: $164,890-$206,310
- Baton Rouge: $188,630-$202,320
- Shreveport: $193,980+
- Lafayette: $154,980-$179,390
An Overview of Hourly Wages for Louisiana’s DNP-Educated Nurses
A 2019 Medscape Compensation Report found that 78% of APRNs are paid overtime for their work, revealing that hourly wages in this field are commonplace in the advanced practice nursing field.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission provides hourly wages for DPN-educated nursing professionals, as of 2018:
- Nurse Anesthetists: $86.53-$99.34
- Nurse Practitioners: $58.55-$71.74
- Nursing Administrators and Executives: $53.49-$72.02
Salary and employment data compiled by the Louisiana Workforce Commission in May of 2018 – (http://www.laworks.net/LaborMarketInfo/LMI_employmentprojections.asp). Salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.
All salary and job growth data accessed in December 2019.
This page includes salaries that fall within the 75th and 90th percentiles for each nursing role to account for the fact that DNP-educated nurses are recognized as earning more than master’s-prepared nurses in the same roles.
