SOC 43-6014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — Southwest Louisiana
Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Southwest Louisiana, LA the median wage is $36,410.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Louisiana, LA the median wage is $36,410. That is 23.4% lower than the national median of $47,540. Pay ranges from under $25,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $51,610 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $29,640 to $43,180.
The area has 1,600 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.82 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, New Orleans records the highest median at $42,830. Of the 259 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 183rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,650 | −46.0% |
| 25th | $29,640 | −37.7% |
| Median (50th) | $36,410 | −23.4% |
| 75th | $43,180 | −9.2% |
| 90th | $51,610 | +8.6% |
| Mean | $37,560 | −21.0% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | $42,830 | 6,180 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $40,910 | 5,950 | |
| 3 | Lake Charles | $40,260 | 1,390 | |
| 4 | Shreveport | $38,580 | 2,200 | |
| 5 | Lafayette | $38,060 | 2,210 | |
| 6 | Slidell | $37,660 | 1,330 | |
| 7 | Monroe | $37,320 | 1,150 | |
| 8 | Houma | $37,010 | 1,180 | |
| 9 | Alexandria | $35,890 | 950 | |
| 10 | Hammond | $35,880 | 790 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,410 goes as far as $41,281 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,281US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,410 a year, 23.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,650 to $51,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,600 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is New Orleans, at $42,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive in Southwest Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $36,410, or $17.51 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 $47,540, so pay in Southwest Louisiana, LA is 23.4% 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 Southwest Louisiana, LA earns more than $51,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,650 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 $42,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,600 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Louisiana, LA. 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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