Retail Salesperson Salary in New Orleans, LA
Retail Salespersons in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median $30,400 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,081 take-home, or $2,173 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in New Orleans, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,468
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,885
- Medicare (1.45%)$441
- Louisiana income tax$526
- Take-home pay$26,081
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in New Orleans, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,100 | $11.11 | $20,326 | $1,694 |
| 25th percentile | $27,260 | $13.11 | $23,627 | $1,969 |
| Median (50th) | $30,400 | $14.62 | $26,081 | $2,173 |
| 75th percentile | $36,990 | $17.78 | $31,178 | $2,598 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,630 | $22.42 | $38,635 | $3,220 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,400 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 retail salesperson's $26,081 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,166 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in New Orleans, LA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
New Orleans, LA ranks #170 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 2 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 3 | Yakima, WA | $36,640 | $31,620 | $33,095 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $34,600 | $29,981 | $33,080 |
| 5 | Rochester, MN | $36,000 | $29,999 | $33,030 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $44,220 | $36,378 | $32,944 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $34,650 | $28,986 | $32,654 |
| 8 | Rapid City, SD | $33,350 | $28,977 | $32,500 |
| 170 | New Orleans, LA | $30,400 | $26,081 | $28,166 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
About the job: retail salespersons
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Louisiana
- Shreveport, LA — $28,990
- Lake Charles, LA — $28,780
- Monroe, LA — $27,710
- Baton Rouge, LA — $30,070
- Lafayette, LA — $28,600
- Slidell, LA — $29,280
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in New Orleans, LA?
The median retail salesperson salary in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $30,400 a year, or about $14.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,260 and $36,990.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in New Orleans, LA?
On the median $30,400 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $26,081 a year ($2,173 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $526 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,166 would in a typical U.S. city. New Orleans, LA ranks #170 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 51% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.