Lawyer salary in Louisiana
Lawyers in Louisiana earn a median of $104,100 a year ($50.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,230 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $159,670. Louisiana ranks 42nd of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 5.3 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $127,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| 25th percentile | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Median | $104,100 | $50.05 |
| 75th percentile | $159,100 | $76.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $227,230 | $109.25 |
| Average (mean) | $127,520 | $61.31 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,675 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,337.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,003.85 |
| Weekly | $2,001.92 |
| Hourly | $50.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $104,100 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lawyer salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $121,290 | 4,330 |
| Lafayette, LA | $111,160 | 650 |
| Alexandria, LA | $108,720 | 200 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $102,070 | 2,300 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $101,690 | 350 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $98,900 | 460 |
| Monroe, LA | $94,720 | 270 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $93,840 | 220 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $84,590 | 560 |
| Hammond, LA | $78,110 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $83,040 | $39.93 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $126,440 | $60.79 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $63,180 | $30.38 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $38,470 | $18.50 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Louisiana?
The median salary for lawyers in Louisiana is $104,100 a year, or $50.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $227,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of lawyers in Louisiana earn at least $227,230 a year. The top 25% earn $159,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,140 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $76,540 or less.
How many lawyers work in Louisiana?
About 10,200 lawyers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.