The average income in New Orleans reached 65,185 dollars in 2025, a figure that reflects both the city’s growing job market and its widening wage gaps. Recent labor data shows that national median weekly earnings climbed to 1,196 dollars in the second quarter of 2025, rising faster than inflation.
These shifts highlight how local workers in New Orleans are navigating a unique mix of high-demand industries, rising living costs, and competitive wages. Understanding how income varies across roles, experience levels, and sectors is essential for anyone evaluating career opportunities or economic conditions in the city.
Overview of Average Income in New Orleans
New Orleans income levels in 2025 place the city well above the statewide median. This figure positions the city above the statewide median of about 43,770 dollars, reflecting stronger job availability and higher wages in sectors like healthcare, transportation, and hospitality.
New Orleans also shows higher earning potential compared to many smaller Louisiana cities, where annual salaries often fall between 37,000 and 50,000 dollars.
Local income trends align with national wage growth. National earnings data show steady wage growth in 2025, which also influences pay trends in New Orleans, an increase of 4.6 percent compared to the previous year.
These shifts help explain why salaries in New Orleans continue to adjust as employers compete for skilled workers in a city influenced by tourism, healthcare expansion, ongoing infrastructure projects, and rising demand for specialized services.
Read Also: US States with Highest Median Incomes
Average Income in New Orleans by Job Type
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
| Registered Nurse | 89,081 |
| Pilot | 92,785 |
| Pharmacist | 145,477 |
| Personal Trainer | 56,031 |
| Bartender | 30,505 |
| Bank Teller | 34,608 |
| Software Developer | 75,000 |
| Network Administrator | 62,000 |
| Data Analyst | 61,000 |
| Administrative Assistant | 39,500 |
| Customer Service Representative | 36,000 |
| Lawyer | 72,800 to 95,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 103,700 to 144,100 |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | 106,100 to 134,500 |
| Systems Administrator | 67,200 to 99,900 |
Median and Mean Wages in 2025
Wage distribution in New Orleans shows a clear divide between middle-income earners and higher-skilled professionals. Most full-time workers fall into a broad earning range between 47,938 and 81,695 dollars per year, which reflects the city’s mix of service, healthcare, technical, and trade occupations.
This range helps define what many residents consider typical pay in the local job market.
The median annual salary sits in the mid-60,000s, but income varies sharply by role and sector. Technical fields, advanced healthcare positions, and managerial jobs often exceed the city’s average, while entry-level service positions and clerical roles tend to fall closer to the lower end of the range.
This distribution highlights how job type, required skill level, and industry demand shape real earning potential for workers across New Orleans.
| Category | Wage |
| Median Annual Salary in New Orleans | 65,185 dollars |
| Median Weekly Earnings in the U.S. (Q2 2025) | 1,196 dollars |
| Average Hourly Wage in New Orleans | 31 dollars |
| Typical Local Salary Range (Middle 80 percent) | 47,938 to 81,695 dollars |
Gender and Age-Based Earnings Trends
Earnings in 2025 show clear differences by both gender and age across the New Orleans labor market. National survey data indicates that women earned 1,078 dollars per week and men earned 1,330 dollars per week in the second quarter of 2025.
The gap becomes wider in older age groups, where men between 45 and 54 reached weekly medians above 1,500 dollars, while women in the same range earned just under 1,200 dollars.
Younger workers experienced smaller gaps. Men between 16 and 24 earned 797 dollars per week and women earned 712 dollars. This closer spread among younger workers reflects early career stages where experience and specialization have less influence on earnings.
As workers progress into mid-career roles, income grows steadily but diverges based on industry demands, leadership opportunities, and long-term career pathways.
These patterns help explain why certain occupations in New Orleans see stronger wage growth for experienced workers, while others maintain tighter earning ranges across genders and age groups.
| Group | Median Weekly Earnings (USD) |
| Men (all ages) | 1,330 |
| Women (all ages) | 1,078 |
| Men ages 35 to 44 | 1,502 |
| Men ages 45 to 54 | 1,520 |
| Women ages 35 to 44 | 1,190 |
| Women ages 45 to 54 | 1,189 |
| Men ages 16 to 24 | 797 |
| Women ages 16 to 24 | 712 |
Top High Paying Jobs in New Orleans in 2025
Several occupations in New Orleans offer earnings well above the city’s average salary. These roles are concentrated in healthcare, technology, engineering, and specialized trades where certification, advanced training, or technical expertise directly increases pay.
Employers in these sectors continue to compete for skilled workers, which keeps salaries strong and creates clear pathways for upward income mobility across the region.
Healthcare and Nursing Roles
Healthcare remains one of the most lucrative fields in New Orleans. Nurse Practitioners lead the category with annual earnings that can reach between 103,700 and 144,100 dollars. Family Nurse Practitioners follow closely with ranges between 106,100 and 134,500 dollars. Registered Nurses also earn above many local averages, typically bringing in 62,200 to 98,800 dollars per year.
These salaries reflect the strong demand for skilled medical professionals across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care units. The city’s expanding healthcare infrastructure continues to create stable, well compensated roles for workers with advanced training and clinical experience.
Engineering, IT, and Technical Careers
Technical fields offer strong earning potential in New Orleans. Systems Administrators typically earn between 67,200 and 99,900 dollars per year, reflecting the need for secure and efficient network operations across both public and private sectors. Software Developers earn about 75,000 dollars annually, supported by steady demand for custom systems, data management, and application development.
Engineering and technical leadership roles in the region commonly exceed these amounts. Director level positions in engineering and IT can reach well into six figure ranges, driven by project oversight, compliance requirements, and the need for advanced problem solving in complex environments. These roles attract workers with specialized expertise and provide some of the most consistent high paying opportunities in the city.
Legal and Managerial Professions
Legal and managerial roles contribute significantly to the higher income tiers in New Orleans. Lawyers typically earn between 72,800 and 95,000 dollars per year, with compensation influenced by specialization and case volume. Management positions in technology, healthcare, and engineering often exceed these levels, particularly for professionals overseeing budgets, teams, or regulatory compliance.
Executive roles in the region also show strong earning power. Positions such as Executive Directors and Operations Directors commonly reach well into six figure ranges. These roles reflect the city’s need for leadership in sectors that rely on strategic planning, service delivery, and organizational growth.
| Job Category | Job Title | Annual Salary (USD) |
| Healthcare and Nursing Roles | Nurse Practitioner | 103,700 to 144,100 |
| Healthcare and Nursing Roles | Family Nurse Practitioner | 106,100 to 134,500 |
| Healthcare and Nursing Roles | Registered Nurse | 62,200 to 98,800 |
| Engineering, IT, and Technical Careers | Systems Administrator | 67,200 to 99,900 |
| Engineering, IT, and Technical Careers | Software Developer | 75,000 |
| Engineering, IT, and Technical Careers | Engineering or IT Director | 130,000 plus (varies by role) |
| Legal and Managerial Professions | Lawyer | 72,800 to 95,000 |
| Legal and Managerial Professions | Executive or Operations Director | 120,000 plus (varies by role) |
Average Salaries by Experience Level
Income levels in New Orleans increase steadily with experience. Workers in early career positions often enter the job market at modest pay ranges, while mid level roles show clear wage growth as responsibilities expand.
Senior and executive positions provide the strongest earning potential, reflecting advanced skills, supervisory duties, and long term industry expertise.
Entry Level to Mid Level Income Ranges
Entry level workers in Louisiana average about 42,392 dollars per year, which aligns with many starting roles in New Orleans across retail, administrative support, hospitality, and early technical positions.
As workers reach three to five years of experience, annual earnings typically rise to about 74,110 dollars. This range reflects increased proficiency, stronger job stability, and progression into roles that require independent decision making or specialized training.
Senior and Executive Level Pay Scales
Senior professionals in New Orleans see significant wage increases as they take on managerial or specialized responsibilities. Annual earnings for these roles average about 107,134 dollars, reflecting advanced oversight, technical expertise, and broader organizational impact.
Executive and C level positions reach about 122,011 dollars per year, with compensation tied to strategic planning, financial management, and long term operational performance. These higher tiers illustrate how experience and leadership directly influence income growth in the local job market.
Average Salaries by Experience Level
| Experience Level | Annual Salary (USD) |
| Entry Level (0 to 2 years) | 42,392 |
| Mid Level (3 to 5 years) | 74,110 |
| Senior Roles and Managers | 107,134 |
| Executive and C Level | 122,011 |
Cost of Living and Its Impact on Real Income
Living costs in New Orleans influence how far local salaries stretch. Housing, transportation, and utilities shape the purchasing power of workers across all income levels. Even with earnings above the statewide median, residents must account for rental prices, home values, and daily expenses that vary across neighborhoods.
Understanding these costs helps clarify how incomes relate to real financial stability within the city.
Housing, Rent, and Utilities in 2025
Housing remains the largest expense for most residents. The median home price in Louisiana is about 252,600 dollars and median rent is about 1,550 dollars per month. Utility costs average around 205 dollars per month, while phone bills typically add about 114 dollars. These figures give a clear picture of the baseline expenses workers must manage when evaluating how their income supports their lifestyle in New Orleans.
Balancing Lifestyle and Salary
A salary between 50,000 and 65,000 dollars is generally considered comfortable for a single person in Louisiana. In New Orleans, this range provides enough income to cover housing, transportation, food, and utilities with reasonable stability.
Higher salaries offer more flexibility, but workers in lower paying roles often need to budget carefully to manage rising living costs. Understanding this balance helps residents gauge whether their earnings align with the lifestyle they expect.
Industry Wise Income Insights
Income levels in New Orleans vary widely across major industries. High demand fields like healthcare, construction, transportation, and technology tend to offer stronger wages, while service oriented roles often fall into more moderate ranges.
These differences reflect the city’s diverse economic base and the skills required within each sector.
Healthcare, Construction, and Energy Sectors
Healthcare roles remain among the highest earning positions in the region due to constant demand and specialized training requirements. Construction salaries range from mid level to high depending on the role, with project managers and skilled trades earning more than general labor positions.
The energy sector also provides steady income opportunities, particularly in refinery and industrial operations where wages typically fall between 35,000 and 43,300 dollars per year. These sectors continue to support strong job availability and reliable income for workers with technical or hands on experience.
Education, Retail, and Service Jobs
Education, retail, and service roles make up a large share of the workforce in New Orleans. Many of these positions fall in the moderate income range, with salaries often between 30,000 and 45,000 dollars per year depending on responsibilities and experience.
Jobs such as administrative assistants, customer service representatives, and clerical staff follow consistent pay structures that reflect steady but modest wage growth.
Service roles that involve public interaction, interpretation, or community support continue to expand across the region. Government agencies and public institutions often require clear and accurate communication, which increases the need for professional language support.
Organizations in these areas frequently rely on government translation services by Elmura Linguistics to meet accessibility and compliance requirements. This demand highlights the importance of skilled service professionals who support daily operations and help maintain effective communication within public facing sectors.
| Industry | Typical Roles | Annual Salary Range (USD) |
| Healthcare | Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nurse | 62,200 to 144,100 |
| Construction | Skilled Trades, Project Roles | 65,500 to 106,500 |
| Energy and Refinery | Refinery and Industrial Operations Staff | 35,000 to 43,300 |
| Education and Administration | Administrative Assistant, Clerical and Support Roles | 39,500 to 45,000 |
| Retail and Customer Service | Customer Service Representative, Retail Staff | 30,000 to 36,000 |
| Service Sector | Interpreters, Community Support, Public Facing Roles | 30,000 to 45,000 |
How New Orleans Compares to Other Louisiana Cities
New Orleans ranks near the top of the state in overall income levels. Cities like Baton Rouge show similar earnings at about 66,024 dollars per year, while Lafayette and Shreveport fall into the low to mid 50,000s. Smaller cities such as Lake Charles average closer to 49,758 dollars.
These differences reflect variations in local industries, cost of living, and job availability. The higher salaries in New Orleans align with its larger economy and broader mix of professional, technical, and service based roles.
Comparison of Average Salaries Across Louisiana Cities
| City | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
| New Orleans | 65,571 |
| Baton Rouge | 66,024 |
| Shreveport | 53,095 |
| Lafayette | 51,787 |
| Lake Charles | 49,758 |
Future Income Trends and Job Outlook
Income levels in New Orleans are expected to continue rising as demand grows in healthcare, technology, construction, and transportation. Population movement into urban centers supports job creation in medical services, infrastructure projects, and logistics.
Technical fields are projected to see steady wage increases as more employers adopt digital systems and require workers with advanced skills. Service sector roles will also remain stable, supported by tourism and local government operations. These trends indicate a job market that offers consistent opportunities for both skilled and entry level workers.