Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Louisiana employs 17,600 LVNs, with a statewide median of $57,470 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What LVNs Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Louisiana median pay
- $57,470 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $45,810
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $61,220
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $66,150
- Employed in Louisiana
- 17,600
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,340 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for LVNs in major Louisiana markets:
- New Orleans
- $60,640 (2,940 employed)
- Baton Rouge
- $59,700 (2,900 employed)
- Slidell
- $59,500 (960 employed)
- Shreveport
- $58,340 (1,840 employed)
- Lake Charles
- $53,300 (890 employed)
- Lafayette
- $51,580 (2,100 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana
Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $57,470 median stretches to roughly $65,159 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)
Louisiana is projected to shrink LVNs employment -1.3%, slower than the +2.6% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,500 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Louisiana License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) — regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE).
- Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at a Louisiana community/technical college).
- Apply to the LSBPNE and clear a background check.
- Pass the NCLEX-PN. Louisiana is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so the license can work across compact states.
Official requirements: Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) →
Training in Louisiana
Affordable, fast paid-healthcare entry. Louisiana has a dedicated practical-nurse board; check NCLEX-PN pass rates before enrolling.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:
- Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
- Blue Cliff College-Metairie — Certificate
- Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate / Associate
Where LVNs Work in Louisiana
Real Louisiana nursing & rehab facilities that employ LVNs include:
- Villa Feliciana Chronic Disease — Jackson
- Highland Place Rehab and Nursing Center — Shreveport
- Jefferson Healthcare Center — Jefferson
- Chateau Living Center — Kenner
- St Joseph of Harahan — Harahan
- Waldon Health Care Center — Kenner
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want a faster healthcare entry point and can handle direct care.
Think twice if: Bodily fluids, shift work, emotional stress, or physical lifting are dealbreakers.
Why it's resilient: Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
First Steps
Compare state-approved LPN programs and NCLEX-PN pass rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do LVNs make in Louisiana?
The median wage for LVNs in Louisiana is $57,470 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $45,810, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $66,150. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana?
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), overseen by the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE). Complete a board-approved practical nursing program (about a year at a Louisiana community/technical college).
Is being a Licensed Practical Nurse a good career in Louisiana?
Practical nursing relies on bedside presence, trust, care coordination, and licensed hands-on support.
Which Louisiana metros pay LVNs the most?
Among Louisiana metro areas, New Orleans leads at $60,640, followed by Baton Rouge ($59,700), Slidell ($59,500). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Louisiana?
Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Blue Cliff College-Metairie, Bossier Parish Community College. Most LVNs start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Licensed Practical Nurse a growing career in Louisiana?
Louisiana projects LVNs employment to change -1.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,500 openings a year — a declining field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2061. Licensing summary compiled from the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners (LSBPNE) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Louisiana wages · Louisiana licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.