Computer Programmer Salary in New Orleans, LA
Computer Programmers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median $77,220 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,224 take-home, or $5,102 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer programmer salary in New Orleans, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,158
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,788
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,120
- Louisiana income tax$1,930
- Take-home pay$61,224
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.00% state
Computer Programmer pay by experience in New Orleans, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,690 | $18.12 | $31,719 | $2,643 |
| 25th percentile | $57,350 | $27.57 | $46,926 | $3,911 |
| Median (50th) | $77,220 | $37.13 | $61,224 | $5,102 |
| 75th percentile | $77,220 | $37.13 | $61,224 | $5,102 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,370 | $46.33 | $74,121 | $6,177 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,220 buys in New Orleans, LA
Prices in New Orleans, LA are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 14% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median computer programmer's $61,224 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,119 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
New Orleans, LA has 2.1× the national concentration of computer programmer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer programmers, adjusted for cost of living
New Orleans, LA ranks #32 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville, AR | $136,880 | $99,698 | $109,135 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $141,920 | $101,903 | $99,180 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $154,920 | $104,962 | $95,054 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $128,900 | $93,144 | $86,033 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $130,390 | $92,273 | $84,744 |
| 6 | San Diego, CA | $134,130 | $92,956 | $83,080 |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $101,830 | $76,619 | $82,793 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $118,000 | $85,342 | $81,416 |
| 32 | New Orleans, LA | $77,220 | $61,224 | $66,119 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer programmer make in New Orleans, LA?
The median computer programmer salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $77,220 a year, or about $37.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,350 and $77,220.
What is a computer programmer’s take-home pay in New Orleans, LA?
On the median $77,220 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $61,224 a year ($5,102 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,930 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a computer programmer?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $100,390. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,119 would in a typical U.S. city. New Orleans, LA ranks #32 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer programmer afford rent in New Orleans, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in New Orleans, LA is $1,105 a month ($1,323 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median computer programmer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in New Orleans, LA
- Software Developer — $106,950
- Computer Systems Analyst — $97,240
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $94,520
- Computer User Support Specialist — $59,800