SOC 51-3021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Butchers and Meat Cutters — Louisiana
Louisiana · 9 metro areas compared
In Louisiana the median wage is $36,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Louisiana the median wage is $36,790. That is 8.3% lower than the national median of $40,140. Pay ranges from under $25,120 at the tenth percentile to more than $48,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $28,600 to $43,600.
Employment stands at 2,240, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Louisiana ranks number 44th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, New Orleans records the highest median at $38,820. Of the 679 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 554th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,120 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $28,600 | −28.7% |
| Median (50th) | $36,790 | −8.3% |
| 75th | $43,600 | +8.6% |
| 90th | $48,240 | +20.2% |
| Mean | $36,940 | −8.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | $38,820 | 360 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $38,260 | 450 | |
| 3 | Lake Charles | $37,590 | 130 | |
| 4 | Shreveport | $36,790 | 190 | |
| 5 | Houma | $36,410 | 80 | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $36,360 | 320 | |
| 7 | Hammond | $36,110 | 90 | |
| 8 | Alexandria | $35,630 | 50 | |
| 9 | Monroe | $35,160 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,790 goes as far as $41,712 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,790as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,712US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,790 a year, 8.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,120 to $48,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,240 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 44th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New Orleans, at $38,820.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Butchers and Meat Cutters in Louisiana?
The median annual wage is $36,790, or $17.69 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $40,140, so pay in Louisiana is 8.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Louisiana earns more than $48,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,120 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in New Orleans, at $38,820 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,240 jobs in this occupation in Louisiana. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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