Average and median wage in Louisiana
Half of the 1,934,900 workers in Louisiana earn less than $45,520 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $56,600, or $27.21 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $22,710 or less and the top 10% $100,110 or more. The average is 19% less than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 11% less than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $23K10th
- $30K25th
- $46KMedian
- $66K75th
- $100K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Louisiana per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $56,600 | $27.21 | $69,770 |
| Median | $45,520 | $21.88 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $22,710 | $10.92 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $30,350 | $14.59 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $66,340 | $31.89 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $100,110 | $48.13 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Louisiana
- Baton Rouge$61,230
- New Orleans$61,050
- Lake Charles$56,630
- Slidell$56,220
- Houma$55,870
- Shreveport$54,580
- Lafayette$52,120
- Alexandria$51,630
- Hammond$49,160
- Monroe$48,850
Map of Louisiana metro areas
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $61,230 | $48,710 | $49,928 | 91 | $248,176 |
| New Orleans | $61,050 | $47,290 | $49,788 | 93 | $261,414 |
| Lake Charles | $56,630 | $45,700 | $46,369 | 86 | $202,237 |
| Slidell | $56,220 | $43,710 | $46,052 | 93 | $272,200 |
| Houma | $55,870 | $45,610 | $45,782 | 85 | $186,622 |
| Shreveport | $54,580 | $44,820 | $44,784 | 85 | $186,193 |
| Lafayette | $52,120 | $41,780 | $42,881 | 87 | $202,312 |
| Alexandria | $51,630 | $40,600 | $42,502 | 86 | $171,604 |
| Hammond | $49,160 | $38,480 | $40,591 | 84 | $225,222 |
| Monroe | $48,850 | $38,150 | $40,351 | 84 | $168,606 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Louisiana
- Physicians, All Other · Baton Rouge$373,800
- Physicians, All Other · Alexandria$343,530
- Physicians, All Other · Slidell$340,340
- Family Medicine Physicians · New Orleans$337,920
- Emergency Medicine Physicians · New Orleans$332,920
- Physicians, All Other · Houma$322,430
- Physicians, All Other · Hammond$322,380
- Physicians, All Other · Lake Charles$298,280
- Physicians, All Other · Shreveport$295,150
- Family Medicine Physicians · Baton Rouge$293,950
Most common jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 49,570 | $32,510 | $29,490 | $33,770 |
| Registered Nurses | 48,970 | $84,190 | $80,230 | $89,570 |
| Cashiers | 46,350 | $26,860 | $26,750 | $28,580 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 45,720 | $24,580 | $22,800 | $26,900 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 45,060 | $24,430 | $22,520 | $25,960 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 43,730 | $35,720 | $35,340 | $37,070 |
| General and Operations Managers | 43,220 | $127,120 | $101,790 | $136,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 33,870 | $22,350 | $15,080 | $24,030 |
| Office Clerks, General | 31,790 | $34,470 | $32,480 | $36,010 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 31,710 | $35,560 | $34,490 | $39,090 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Louisiana
Louisiana income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply Louisiana's 2026 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare.
Louisiana at a glance
Average salary in other states
- Alabama
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- Arkansas
- California
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
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- Maine
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- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
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Salary in Louisiana: questions
What is the average salary in Louisiana?
$56,600 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 19% less than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Louisiana?
$45,520 a year: half of Louisiana workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Louisiana?
$27.21 an hour on average, and $21.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Louisiana pays the most?
Baton Rouge, with an average of $61,230 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is Louisiana expensive to live in?
BEA puts Louisiana prices 12% below the U.S. average (price parity 88.2). Within the state, Slidell 93, New Orleans 93, Baton Rouge 91 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Louisiana.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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