Jobs that actually got a raise in Louisiana

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average (2024), so a Louisiana salary is worth about 1.13× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Louisiana.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Louisiana

OccupationMedian, Louisiana · Real change since 2019

1Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$124,200
Bachelor's degree
$52,760 – $183,850+58.3%+99.4% nominal
2Business Teachers, Postsecondary$129,040
Doctoral or professional degree
$58,030 – $218,880+43.5%+80.7% nominal
3Therapists, All Other$64,530
Bachelor's degree
$47,800 – $170,720+42.3%+79.3% nominal
4Massage Therapists$36,480
Postsecondary nondegree award
$18,080 – $59,680+41.2%+77.8% nominal
5Coaches and Scouts$60,960
Bachelor's degree
$23,310 – $194,130+40.4%+76.8% nominal
6Slaughterers and Meat Packers$40,120
No formal educational credential
$23,890 – $45,160+39.6%+75.7% nominal
7Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas$86,980
No formal educational credential
$45,770 – $98,840+39.3%+75.4% nominal
8Gas Plant Operators$108,350
High school diploma or equivalent
$50,890 – $115,390+30.1%+63.8% nominal
9Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$48,860
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,360 – $64,660+26.0%+58.6% nominal
10Veterinarians$124,370
Doctoral or professional degree
$64,690 – $165,560+22.9%+54.7% nominal
11Butchers and Meat Cutters$36,790
No formal educational credential
$25,120 – $48,240+18.9%+49.7% nominal
12Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$125,130
Doctoral or professional degree
$63,470 – $282,740+17.8%+48.4% nominal
13Tire Repairers and Changers$33,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$23,890 – $45,350+15.9%+45.9% nominal
14Highway Maintenance Workers$44,790
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,760 – $63,010+15.8%+45.8% nominal
15Stockers and Order Fillers$34,490
No formal educational credential
$27,950 – $47,660+15.6%+45.6% nominal
16Insurance Underwriters$76,540
Bachelor's degree
$46,540 – $126,190+15.5%+45.5% nominal
17Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$27,750
No formal educational credential
$21,750 – $34,790+15.3%+45.2% nominal
18Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$46,570
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,060 – $65,300+15.0%+44.9% nominal
19Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$26,780
No formal educational credential
$16,080 – $39,770+15.0%+44.8% nominal
20Chemical Plant and System Operators$100,060
High school diploma or equivalent
$62,890 – $122,560+14.8%+44.6% nominal
21Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$82,990
Associate's degree
$48,940 – $116,080+14.4%+44.1% nominal
22Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$106,640
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,160 – $111,060+14.0%+43.6% nominal
23Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$57,470
Postsecondary nondegree award
$45,810 – $66,150+13.9%+43.4% nominal
24Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$78,710
Master's degree
$45,640 – $190,640+13.7%+43.2% nominal
25Counter and Rental Clerks$34,910
No formal educational credential
$22,020 – $52,610+13.5%+42.9% nominal
26Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$27,400
Some college, no degree
$20,680 – $38,620+13.3%+42.7% nominal
27Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,020
Associate's degree
$23,700 – $59,970+12.5%+41.7% nominal
28Surgical Technologists$57,370
Postsecondary nondegree award
$36,580 – $74,650+12.5%+41.7% nominal
29Maintenance Workers, Machinery$62,640
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,930 – $92,510+12.5%+41.6% nominal
30Nurse Anesthetists$222,130
Master's degree
$176,660 – $304,640+11.9%+40.9% nominal
31Athletic Trainers$62,760
Master's degree
$50,120 – $78,880+11.7%+40.6% nominal
32Pest Control Workers$44,570
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,850 – $58,220+11.7%+40.6% nominal
33Physician Assistants$128,870
Master's degree
$100,920 – $162,200+11.4%+40.2% nominal
34Recreation Workers$28,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$19,300 – $45,320+10.3%+38.9% nominal
35Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$28,930
No formal educational credential
$21,230 – $39,830+10.2%+38.8% nominal
36Marketing Managers$120,650
Bachelor's degree
$72,800 – $208,180+10.1%+38.7% nominal
37Pharmacy Aides$33,450
High school diploma or equivalent
$22,270 – $38,740+10.1%+38.7% nominal
38Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$27,200
No formal educational credential
$18,580 – $32,540+10.0%+38.5% nominal
39Advertising Sales Agents$48,810
High school diploma or equivalent
$25,480 – $100,800+9.7%+38.2% nominal
40Cashiers$26,750
No formal educational credential
$19,300 – $34,780+9.4%+37.8% nominal
41Manicurists and Pedicurists$28,170
Postsecondary nondegree award
$18,190 – $45,860+9.3%+37.7% nominal
42Respiratory Therapists$75,240
Associate's degree
$61,520 – $91,200+9.3%+37.7% nominal
43Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$35,530
Associate's degree
$28,490 – $47,690+8.9%+37.2% nominal
44Dishwashers$26,440
No formal educational credential
$19,820 – $33,280+8.8%+37.0% nominal
45Industrial Engineers$122,920
Bachelor's degree
$78,540 – $173,670+8.7%+36.9% nominal
46Network and Computer Systems Administrators$90,160
Bachelor's degree
$60,200 – $131,910+8.5%+36.6% nominal
47Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,670 – $61,370+8.1%+36.2% nominal
48Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$46,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,280 – $61,300+8.1%+36.1% nominal
49Family Medicine Physicians$255,330
Doctoral or professional degree
$118,970 – $464,410+7.9%+35.8% nominal
50Chemical Technicians$85,850
Associate's degree
$47,690 – $111,950+7.9%+35.8% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianLouisiana	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$124,200	$52,760 – $183,850	+58.3%+99.4% nominal
2	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$129,040	$58,030 – $218,880	+43.5%+80.7% nominal
3	Therapists, All OtherBachelor's degree	$64,530	$47,800 – $170,720	+42.3%+79.3% nominal
4	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$36,480	$18,080 – $59,680	+41.2%+77.8% nominal
5	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$60,960	$23,310 – $194,130	+40.4%+76.8% nominal
6	Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential	$40,120	$23,890 – $45,160	+39.6%+75.7% nominal
7	Derrick Operators, Oil and GasNo formal educational credential	$86,980	$45,770 – $98,840	+39.3%+75.4% nominal
8	Gas Plant OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$108,350	$50,890 – $115,390	+30.1%+63.8% nominal
9	Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,860	$33,360 – $64,660	+26.0%+58.6% nominal
10	VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree	$124,370	$64,690 – $165,560	+22.9%+54.7% nominal
11	Butchers and Meat CuttersNo formal educational credential	$36,790	$25,120 – $48,240	+18.9%+49.7% nominal
12	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$125,130	$63,470 – $282,740	+17.8%+48.4% nominal
13	Tire Repairers and ChangersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33,900	$23,890 – $45,350	+15.9%+45.9% nominal
14	Highway Maintenance WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,790	$27,760 – $63,010	+15.8%+45.8% nominal
15	Stockers and Order FillersNo formal educational credential	$34,490	$27,950 – $47,660	+15.6%+45.6% nominal
16	Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree	$76,540	$46,540 – $126,190	+15.5%+45.5% nominal
17	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersNo formal educational credential	$27,750	$21,750 – $34,790	+15.3%+45.2% nominal
18	Court, Municipal, and License ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,570	$32,060 – $65,300	+15.0%+44.9% nominal
19	Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential	$26,780	$16,080 – $39,770	+15.0%+44.8% nominal
20	Chemical Plant and System OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$100,060	$62,890 – $122,560	+14.8%+44.6% nominal
21	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$82,990	$48,940 – $116,080	+14.4%+44.1% nominal
22	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$106,640	$42,160 – $111,060	+14.0%+43.6% nominal
23	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesPostsecondary nondegree award	$57,470	$45,810 – $66,150	+13.9%+43.4% nominal
24	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$78,710	$45,640 – $190,640	+13.7%+43.2% nominal
25	Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential	$34,910	$22,020 – $52,610	+13.5%+42.9% nominal
26	Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySome college, no degree	$27,400	$20,680 – $38,620	+13.3%+42.7% nominal
27	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$38,020	$23,700 – $59,970	+12.5%+41.7% nominal
28	Surgical TechnologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$57,370	$36,580 – $74,650	+12.5%+41.7% nominal
29	Maintenance Workers, MachineryHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,640	$40,930 – $92,510	+12.5%+41.6% nominal
30	Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree	$222,130	$176,660 – $304,640	+11.9%+40.9% nominal
31	Athletic TrainersMaster's degree	$62,760	$50,120 – $78,880	+11.7%+40.6% nominal
32	Pest Control WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,570	$27,850 – $58,220	+11.7%+40.6% nominal
33	Physician AssistantsMaster's degree	$128,870	$100,920 – $162,200	+11.4%+40.2% nominal
34	Recreation WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$28,580	$19,300 – $45,320	+10.3%+38.9% nominal
35	Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$28,930	$21,230 – $39,830	+10.2%+38.8% nominal
36	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$120,650	$72,800 – $208,180	+10.1%+38.7% nominal
37	Pharmacy AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$33,450	$22,270 – $38,740	+10.1%+38.7% nominal
38	Food Servers, NonrestaurantNo formal educational credential	$27,200	$18,580 – $32,540	+10.0%+38.5% nominal
39	Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,810	$25,480 – $100,800	+9.7%+38.2% nominal
40	CashiersNo formal educational credential	$26,750	$19,300 – $34,780	+9.4%+37.8% nominal
41	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$28,170	$18,190 – $45,860	+9.3%+37.7% nominal
42	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$75,240	$61,520 – $91,200	+9.3%+37.7% nominal
43	Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$35,530	$28,490 – $47,690	+8.9%+37.2% nominal
44	DishwashersNo formal educational credential	$26,440	$19,820 – $33,280	+8.8%+37.0% nominal
45	Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree	$122,920	$78,540 – $173,670	+8.7%+36.9% nominal
46	Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree	$90,160	$60,200 – $131,910	+8.5%+36.6% nominal
47	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,210	$34,670 – $61,370	+8.1%+36.2% nominal
48	Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,800	$33,280 – $61,300	+8.1%+36.1% nominal
49	Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree	$255,330	$118,970 – $464,410	+7.9%+35.8% nominal
50	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$85,850	$47,690 – $111,950	+7.9%+35.8% nominal

More for Louisiana

Metro areas in Louisiana

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Louisiana

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Louisiana to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Louisiana

More for Louisiana

Metro areas in Louisiana

By field in Louisiana

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state