Highest paying jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
The best paying occupations in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 7.4% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianNew Orleans-Metairie, LA | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $336,290 | $206,880 – $436,120 | 140 |
| 2 | Family Medicine PhysiciansDoctoral or professional degree | $332,690 | $190,750 – $464,410 | 250 |
| 3 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $326,440 | $63,950 – $420,620 | 1,910 |
| 4 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $216,280 | $209,900 – $384,800 | 190 |
| 5 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $198,050 | $101,880 – $323,930 | 270 |
| 6 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $165,620 | $130,740 – $208,970 | 560 |
| 7 | Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree | $149,430 | $118,370 – $209,840 | 40 |
| 8 | Petroleum EngineersBachelor's degree | $148,390 | $72,820 – $237,280 | 320 |
| 9 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $147,980 | $87,010 – $217,310 | 580 |
| 10 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $137,540 | $58,030 – $262,590 | 240 |
| 11 | Chemical EngineersBachelor's degree | $136,870 | $90,620 – $178,670 | 190 |
| 12 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $136,200 | $51,140 – $199,010 | 50 |
| 13 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $135,950 | $71,060 – $169,410 | 140 |
| 14 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $134,110 | $84,250 – $229,630 | 1,970 |
| 15 | Sales EngineersBachelor's degree | $133,010 | $80,410 – $154,390 | — |
| 16 | Ship EngineersPostsecondary nondegree award | $132,710 | $54,800 – $276,090 | 230 |
| 17 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,570 | $69,000 – $210,570 | 800 |
| 18 | Natural Sciences ManagersBachelor's degree | $129,960 | $91,620 – $251,720 | 100 |
| 19 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $128,670 | $80,650 – $176,220 | 90 |
| 20 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $128,360 | $71,230 – $169,070 | 200 |
| 21 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $128,100 | $86,060 – $155,240 | 1,470 |
| 22 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $127,340 | $83,530 – $170,530 | 460 |
| 23 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $127,030 | $54,840 – $190,600 | 510 |
| 24 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $126,740 | $76,440 – $222,270 | 250 |
| 25 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $126,260 | $80,420 – $171,260 | 110 |
| 26 | Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $125,930 | $76,040 – $170,670 | 110 |
| 27 | Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $125,830 | $63,050 – $157,720 | 40 |
| 28 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersBachelor's degree | $125,570 | $63,370 – $158,730 | 130 |
| 29 | Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree | $125,120 | $78,340 – $176,580 | 220 |
| 30 | Physical Scientists, All OtherBachelor's degree | $125,070 | $81,330 – $145,270 | 70 |
| 31 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $124,800 | $105,570 – $157,690 | 1,270 |
| 32 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $124,580 | $108,740 – $169,060 | 400 |
| 33 | Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing OfficersDoctoral or professional degree | $124,530 | $61,110 – $207,480 | 70 |
| 34 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $124,160 | $72,490 – $131,240 | 40 |
| 35 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $122,050 | $72,700 – $182,390 | 800 |
| 36 | Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water VesselsPostsecondary nondegree award | $121,710 | $59,980 – $170,470 | 1,940 |
| 37 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $121,290 | $62,530 – $290,190 | 4,330 |
| 38 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $120,700 | $75,920 – $216,550 | 1,810 |
| 39 | Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and InspectorsBachelor's degree | $120,580 | $63,200 – $180,060 | 90 |
| 40 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $118,540 | $67,710 – $222,320 | 1,000 |
| 41 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $117,990 | $75,340 – $170,810 | 530 |
| 42 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $116,350 | $81,150 – $201,780 | 350 |
| 43 | Training and Development ManagersBachelor's degree | $115,270 | $70,580 – $177,220 | 70 |
| 44 | Public Relations ManagersBachelor's degree | $113,110 | $66,850 – $201,510 | 110 |
| 45 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $112,550 | $62,130 – $189,260 | 2,610 |
| 46 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $110,970 | $64,060 – $167,700 | 1,050 |
| 47 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $109,110 | $72,720 – $147,180 | 160 |
| 48 | Computer and Information Research ScientistsMaster's degree | $108,990 | $75,570 – $136,990 | 80 |
| 49 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $108,240 | $70,000 – $156,760 | 1,070 |
| 50 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,490 | $53,280 – $111,370 | 1,560 |