Accountant Salary in Louisiana: $75,178 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $75,178/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $83,254 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($78,224), New Orleans ($77,940), Houma ($74,620).
In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in Louisiana is projected to be $75,178, which is 12.4% lower than the national median of $85,864. The highest-paying city in the state is Metairie, with salaries averaging $80,266, while Alexandria reports the lowest salaries at $66,214. This $14,052 difference is influenced by factors such as the local economy, cost of living variations, and the concentration of industries needing accounting expertise. Louisiana's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can also impact earnings. As a CPA, obtaining a license requires 150 credit hours of education, passing the CPA exam, and gaining relevant work experience. The state experiences an annual growth rate of 2.61% in accounting jobs, driven by increasing demand for financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and advisory services. The projected salaries for top cities include New Orleans at $79,974, Houma at $76,568, Monroe at $75,767, and Baton Rouge at $74,977. Each city's job market dynamics correlate with local business activity, population, and industry presence, essential considerations for those pursuing careers in accounting within the state. Overall, while Louisiana's accounting salaries may lag behind national averages, the steady growth and diverse opportunities present a viable pathway for aspiring accountants.
Louisiana Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $47,006 (lowest entry-level) to $149,369 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana accountants earn 12.45% less than the national median ($-10,686/year difference).
Louisiana Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Louisiana range from $51,160 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $119,423 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,178. The Louisiana median is $10,686 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $36.14/hr. Approximately 12,599 accountants are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,459
2025 BLS Actual
$73,266
2026 Current Est.
$75,178
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,459 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,003 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,077 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,304 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,566 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,764 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,178 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,140 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 15.5% from $63,459 (2019) to $73,266 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,140 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,681 (21.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $66,214 |
| Sulphur | $67,799 |
| Hammond | $67,815 |
| Zachary | $68,191 |
| Natchitoches | $68,516 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | $75,767 | 83.597 | $90,634 |
| Houma | $76,568 | 85.103 | $89,971 |
| Metairie | $80,266 | 90.3 | $88,888 |
| New Orleans | $79,974 | 92.597 | $86,368 |
| Shreveport | $72,258 | 84.766 | $85,244 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,160 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,178 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $119,423 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $80,266 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $79,974 |
| 3 | Houma | $76,568 |
| 4 | Monroe | $75,767 |
| 5 | Baton Rouge | $74,977 |
| 6 | Thibodaux | $74,960 |
| 7 | Slidell | $74,382 |
| 8 | Shreveport | $72,258 |
| 9 | Lake Charles | $71,878 |
| 10 | Kenner | $71,835 |
| 11 | Bossier City | $71,111 |
| 12 | Ruston | $70,506 |
| 13 | Central | $70,435 |
| 14 | New Iberia | $69,456 |
| 15 | Lafayette | $69,395 |
| 16 | Natchitoches | $68,516 |
| 17 | Zachary | $68,191 |
| 18 | Hammond | $67,815 |
| 19 | Sulphur | $67,799 |
| 20 | Alexandria | $66,214 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Louisiana?
How many accountants are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for accountants?
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov