Lawyers Salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Lawyers in New Orleans-Metairie, LA make a median of $131,220 a year, or about $63.09 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $235K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $141,706 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,331/month, or 16.7% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $131K get you in New Orleans-Metairie?
About lawyers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Entry-level lawyers (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K.Top earners bring in $235K or more - a $172K spread from bottom to top.
Lawyers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $198K | +31% | 92,580 |
| District of Columbia | $192K | +27% | 33,430 |
| Massachusetts | $179K | +18% | 22,020 |
| New York | $177K | +17% | 91,440 |
| Delaware | $173K | +14% | 2,970 |
| Connecticut | $159K | +5% | 7,500 |
| New Jersey | $158K | +5% | 23,360 |
| Virginia | $158K | +5% | 18,420 |
| Illinois | $157K | +4% | 33,430 |
| Washington | $152K | +1% | 13,140 |
| Maryland | $143K | -5% | 16,420 |
| Oregon | $142K | -6% | 7,690 |
| Minnesota | $138K | -9% | 12,880 |
| Texas | $134K | -12% | 54,680 |
| Arizona | $133K | -12% | 12,130 |
Track lawyers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New Orleans-Metairie numbers change.
Related careers in Legal
Frequently asked questions
How much do lawyers make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median is $131,220 a year - that works out to about $63.09 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,560, and experienced lawyers can clear $234,910. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in New Orleans-Metairie?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,954/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 16.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a lawyers salary go in New Orleans-Metairie?
New Orleans-Metairie has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median lawyers salary is worth about $141,706 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do lawyers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.