Louisiana has no state minimum wage. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to most employees. Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.13 per hour, but employers must ensure wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Louisiana is $23.67. Wages vary by occupation, industry, and location.
The estimated living wage in Louisiana is $20.37 per hour. A living wage represents the estimated hourly rate needed to cover basic living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essential costs.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Louisiana
- Adults: No state or federal law requiring meal breaks. Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bona-fide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL).
- Minors: Youths employed for 5 hours receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break (La. Stat. tit. 23 § 213).
- School session: No working during school hours; three hours per day; 18 hours per week.
- Non-school session: 8 hours per day; 40 hours per week.
- Working hours: Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day.
- Other: Minors may not work more than six consecutive days per week (La. Stat. tit. 23 § 211) (La. Stat. tit. 23 § 214) (La. Stat. tit. 23 § 215) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
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