Top Paying Jobs in Louisiana
Louisiana has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 203,750 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Pediatricians, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologists ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550). The cost of living index is 87.28 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,191/month.
ⓘ
State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$132K
Avg. median salary
87.28
Cost of living index
$1,191
Median 2BR rent
4,590,241
Population
Highest paying careers in Louisiana
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $91K | N/A |
| 92 | Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | Science | $91K | $43.83/hr |
| 93 | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Technology | $90K | $43.35/hr |
| 94 | Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $90K | N/A |
| 95 | Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | Science | $90K | $43.06/hr |
| 96 | Writers and Authors | Arts & Media | $90K | $43.04/hr |
| 97 | Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $88K | N/A |
| 98 | Nuclear Medicine Technologists | Healthcare | $88K | $42.15/hr |
| 99 | Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | Science | $87K | $42.05/hr |
| 100 | Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | Construction & Trades | $87K | $41.82/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Louisiana
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-12.7% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,191/mo
Planning a move? Compare costs with other locations:
Metro areas in Louisiana
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Alexandria
$994/mo rentRPP 85.7
Baton Rouge$1,204/mo rentRPP 90.8
Hammond$1,109/mo rentRPP 84.5
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux$1,102/mo rentRPP 85.1
Lafayette$992/mo rentRPP 87.2
Lake Charles$1,212/mo rentRPP 85.9
Monroe$1,185/mo rentRPP 83.6
New Orleans-Metairie$1,121/mo rentRPP 92.6
Shreveport-Bossier City$1,243/mo rentRPP 84.8
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington$1,331/mo rentRPP 92.7
Compare Louisiana to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
Remote work salary calculator
See what your salary is worth in Louisiana
Calculate take-home pay in Louisiana
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in Louisiana?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Louisiana?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data
