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Nurses that complete a MSN degree in Louisiana earn greater salaries. In 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that BSN registered nurses earned an average annual salary of $60,230. Meanwhile, MSN nurses such as nurse anesthetists and nurse practitioners became among the top 30 best-paid professionals in the state. Nurse anesthetists earned $143,900 annually and nurse practitioners received $93,200 annually in that year.
Although MSN-educated postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers were not the highest paid professionals in Louisiana, the state was a nationally recognized leading employer of these MSN nurses. In fact, as of 2014:
- Louisiana held the highest concentration of postsecondary nursing instructor and teacher jobs in the country. The average annual salary for the 1,630 postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers employed statewide was $59,040.
- The Shreveport-Bossier City area held the sixth highest concentration of nursing instructor and teacher jobs compared to all other metropolitan areas in the country. The 220 nursing instructors and teachers employed here earned an average annual salary of $51,920.
How Salaries Rise with Experience for Louisiana’s MSN-Educated Nurses
After completing a MSN degree in Louisiana, nurses can continue to achieve even greater salaries throughout their careers by accruing experience through paid jobs, specialized training, and continuing education. In 2014, the United States Department of Labor found that the most experienced MSN nurses typically earned at least twice the salary amount than those just starting out:
Postsecondary Nursing Instructors and Teachers
- Entry-level: $36,800
- Mid-career: $57,700
- Experienced: $84,400
Nurse Anesthetists
- Entry-level: $74,100
- Mid-career: $143,900
- Experienced: $187,200+
Nurse Practitioners
- Entry-level: $67,500
- Mid-career: $93,200
- Experienced: $127,700
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries in Louisiana
Nurse anesthetist salaries tend to vary throughout Louisiana, therefore workers with the ability to commute or relocate for a position could increase their salary earning potential. In 2014, the United States Department of Labor reported that Hammond nonmetropolitan area was the highest paying region for nurse anesthetists in Louisiana. These MSN nurse professionals took home average annual salary of $157,170:
*This value is equal to or greater than $90/hour or $187,199/year. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report salary data beyond this level.
Salaries for Nurse Practitioners Throughout Louisiana
Salary statistics released by the United States Department of Labor in 2014 indicated that a nurse practitioner’s geographic location of employment could greatly impact their pay amount. For example, nurse practitioners in the New Iberia nonmetropolitan area collected an average annual salary of $113,570, while those in the Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux were given an average annual salary of $89,140: