Lawyer Salary in New Orleans, LA
Lawyers in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median $121,290 a year — 24% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,905 take-home, or $7,575 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median lawyer salary in New Orleans, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,854
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,520
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,759
- Louisiana income tax$3,252
- Take-home pay$90,905
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Lawyer pay by experience in New Orleans, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,530 | $30.06 | $50,933 | $4,244 |
| 25th percentile | $78,890 | $37.93 | $62,349 | $5,196 |
| Median (50th) | $121,290 | $58.31 | $90,905 | $7,575 |
| 75th percentile | $164,310 | $79.00 | $119,029 | $9,919 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $290,190+ | $139.51 | $200,711 | $16,726 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $121,290 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 lawyer's $90,905 take-home pay has the buying power of $98,173 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 2.0× the national concentration of lawyer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for lawyers, adjusted for cost of living
New Orleans, LA ranks #38 of 47 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $239,200+ | $188,293 | $170,520 |
| 2 | Birmingham, AL | $170,230 | $119,372 | $130,256 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $208,880 | $144,183 | $128,091 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $168,510 | $126,443 | $122,653 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $195,190 | $131,718 | $120,971 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $212,500 | $139,838 | $120,953 |
| 7 | Houston, TX | $157,980 | $119,245 | $120,903 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $170,660 | $122,673 | $119,618 |
| 38 | New Orleans, LA | $121,290 | $90,905 | $98,173 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 47 metros →
About the job: lawyers
Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in New Orleans, LA?
The median lawyer salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $121,290 a year, or about $58.31 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,890 and $164,310.
What is a lawyer’s take-home pay in New Orleans, LA?
On the median $121,290 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $90,905 a year ($7,575 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,252 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a lawyer?
Pay here is 24% below the national median of $159,670. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $98,173 would in a typical U.S. city. New Orleans, LA ranks #38 of 47 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a lawyer 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) — 15% of a median lawyer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.