Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Louisiana
26 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Louisiana, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $52.89 | $110,010 | $83.61 | 5,530 | 27th of 51 | +1.1% | 4% below |
| 2 | Lineman | $36.74 | $76,410 | $56.73 | 2,520 | 48th of 51 | +12.5% | 20% below |
| 3 | Construction supervisor | $36.23 | $75,360 | $50.19 | 14,070 | 41st of 51 | -5.0% | 6% below |
| 4 | Boilermaker | $35.57 | $73,980 | $37.16 | 1,220 | 27th of 37 | -0.4% | 3% below |
| 5 | Ironworker | $33.09 | $68,830 | $38.73 | 1,180 | 22nd of 50 | +10.1% | 10% above |
| 6 | Millwright | $31.77 | $66,080 | $39.64 | 1,080 | 22nd of 48 | -0.9% | 1% above |
| 7 | Plumber | $30.62 | $63,680 | $38.24 | 8,360 | 27th of 51 | +1.1% | about the same as |
| 8 | Welder | $29.93 | $62,250 | $39.30 | 13,690 | 8th of 51 | +5.9% | 16% above |
| 9 | Electrician | $29.59 | $61,540 | $39.33 | 10,550 | 35th of 51 | -3.5% | 3% below |
| 10 | Crane operator | $29.41 | $61,170 | $39.72 | 1,930 | 39th of 50 | -2.9% | 10% below |
| 11 | Machinist | $29.38 | $61,110 | $40.83 | 4,640 | 17th of 51 | +0.6% | 4% above |
| 12 | Diesel mechanic | $28.21 | $58,680 | $38.06 | 3,270 | 42nd of 51 | +1.0% | 5% below |
| 13 | HVAC technician | $28.20 | $58,650 | $37.60 | 5,380 | 36th of 51 | +8.2% | 4% below |
| 14 | Brickmason | $27.62 | $57,440 | $29.90 | 240 | 36th of 50 | +5.3% | 8% below |
| 15 | Heavy equipment operator | $24.86 | $51,700 | $36.14 | 7,860 | 40th of 51 | -0.1% | 14% below |
| 16 | Sheet metal worker | $24.19 | $50,320 | $37.40 | 1,080 | 41st of 50 | -6.0% | 19% below |
| 17 | Plasterer | $24.01 | $49,950 | $29.94 | 40 | 22nd of 28 | +21.2% | 13% below |
| 18 | Carpenter | $24.00 | $49,920 | $33.32 | 8,990 | 41st of 51 | +0.1% | 18% below |
| 19 | Cement mason | $23.64 | $49,180 | $35.67 | 910 | 41st of 51 | -6.0% | 14% below |
| 20 | Roofer | $23.44 | $48,760 | $40.67 | 760 | 31st of 51 | -0.6% | 12% below |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $22.80 | $47,420 | $37.38 | 310 | 39th of 49 | -8.2% | 20% below |
| 22 | Insulation worker | $22.76 | $47,340 | $29.97 | 1,610 | 33rd of 48 | — | 4% below |
| 23 | Glazier | $22.67 | $47,150 | $30.33 | 610 | 40th of 50 | +4.8% | 17% below |
| 24 | Painter | $22.31 | $46,410 | $28.52 | 4,090 | 37th of 51 | -2.1% | 6% below |
| 25 | Tile setter | $21.52 | $44,750 | $27.24 | 190 | 39th of 47 | -3.7% | 20% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $18.38 | $38,230 | $28.89 | 22,100 | 48th of 51 | -1.3% | 19% below |
Most in-demand trades in Louisiana
By the Louisiana labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are tile setters (+19.7%), ironworkers (+11.3%), electricians (+10.3%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (3,210 a year), welders (1,410 a year), construction supervisors (1,280 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 35,859 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tile setter | +19.7% | 30 | 360 | $21.52 |
| Ironworker | +11.3% | 150 | 1,620 | $33.09 |
| Electrician | +10.3% | 1,190 | 11,920 | $29.59 |
| Construction manager | +10.1% | 740 | 8,440 | $52.89 |
| Construction laborer | +8.3% | 3,210 | 35,610 | $18.38 |
| HVAC technician | +7.6% | 500 | 5,390 | $28.20 |
| Sheet metal worker | +6.5% | 80 | 940 | $24.19 |
| Welder | +6.3% | 1,410 | 13,320 | $29.93 |
| Roofer | +6.0% | 70 | 890 | $23.44 |
| Construction supervisor | +5.9% | 1,280 | 15,670 | $36.23 |
| Plumber | +5.9% | 900 | 10,050 | $30.62 |
| Carpenter | +5.4% | 960 | 12,300 | $24.00 |
| Insulation worker | +4.5% | 100 | 1,220 | $22.76 |
| Drywall installer | +4.4% | 40 | 520 | $22.80 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +4.3% | 660 | 7,630 | $24.86 |
| Painter | +4.2% | 510 | 6,200 | $22.31 |
| Millwright | +3.9% | 90 | 930 | $31.77 |
| Machinist | +3.9% | 510 | 4,920 | $29.38 |
| Brickmason | +3.7% | 30 | 380 | $27.62 |
| Crane operator | +3.4% | 160 | 1,780 | $29.41 |
| Plasterer | +3.1% | 0 | 60 | $24.01 |
| Lineman | +2.6% | 120 | 1,480 | $36.74 |
| Diesel mechanic | +1.8% | 270 | 3,260 | $28.21 |
| Glazier | +1.6% | 70 | 860 | $22.67 |
| Cement mason | +1.3% | 70 | 990 | $23.64 |
| Boilermaker | +0.2% | 140 | 1,680 | $35.57 |
Source: Louisiana long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Louisiana
Prevailing wage in Louisiana
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Louisiana, 53 of 64 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $43.91/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Metros in Louisiana
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Louisiana?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $52.89 an hour in May 2025, followed by linemen ($36.74) and construction supervisors ($36.23).
Which trades are in highest demand in Louisiana?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, tile setters (+19.7%), ironworkers (+11.3%), electricians (+10.3%). By openings a year, construction laborers (3,210 a year), welders (1,410 a year), construction supervisors (1,280 a year). The figures come from Louisiana's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Louisiana compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 26 trades listed, 4 pay above the national median in Louisiana and 22 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 88.2% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Louisiana.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).