What is the average wage in ?

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The average wage was $1,115 per week in May 2026, 0.9% higher than a year before. The average weekly wage, the typical earnings that employees bring home for one week of work, is a valuable indicator to assess economic conditions, labor market health, and wage trends. When accounting for the cost of living, Louisiana’s average weekly wage of $1,115 has the purchasing power of $1,264.

$1.12K

average weekly earnings, May 2026

0.9%

higher than a year before (adjusted for inflation)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly statistics tracking the wages of all employees who don’t work for the government. In May 2026, the average weekly wage in Louisiana was $1,115. That represents the wages of 1.7 million private-sector workers in the state.

As of May 2026, average weekly earnings for workers in Louisiana was lower than the US overall.

12-month rolling average of average weekly earnings, 2007-2026, adjusted for inflation

As with other averages, most people earn more or less than the average weekly wage. Pay varies based on industry and occupation.

Which occupations have the highest wages?

In Louisiana, workers in the manufacturing sector had the highest average weekly earnings at $1,528 per week, as of May 2026. Leisure and hospitality workers had the lowest average weekly wage at $501.

In Louisiana, manufacturing workers had the highest average weekly wage.

Average weekly earnings, by industry (May 2026)

How do wages in Louisiana compare to the national average?

Cost of living, which also varies based on location, impacts how far a person’s earnings can go. Someone earning the weekly average will have more or less purchasing power depending on location. In Louisiana, cost of living is lower than the US overall, and the state’s average weekly wage of $1,115 has purchasing power equal to $1,264.
Louisiana’s average weekly wage is below the national average, ranking 36th among states. When accounting for regional cost of living differences, Louisiana ranks 15th among states.

Accounting for cost of living, Louisiana had an average weekly wage of $1,264 in May 2026.

Average weekly wage, May 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)

Which metro areas in Louisiana have the highest wages?

Among 10 metro areas at least partially located in Louisiana, the Lake Charles, LA area has the highest average weekly wage at $1,416, when accounting for the cost of living.

Among Louisiana metro areas, the Lake Charles, LA area had the highest wages, accounting for cost of living.

Average weekly wage, May 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.