Electrician Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $30.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a electrician working in New Orleans, LA runs $30.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,815 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,285 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In New Orleans, Louisiana, the electrician hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $30.68 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.02. This figure reflects the earnings of electricians who may work in various settings, including commercial and industrial construction sites, residential service calls, and utility operations. For those working part-time, say three days a week, or on per-diem contracts, this wage can support a decent living, particularly in a city where the cost of living index is below the national average. Electricians in entry-level positions can expect to earn approximately $19.14 per hour, while more experienced professionals can command rates as high as $40.52 per hour according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Electrician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.14 | $153.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.85 | $190.76 |
| Median (P50) | $30.68 | $245.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.31 | $290.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.52 | $324.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $30.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.68/hr, a electrician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $63,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,812. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,227.07 | $5,317 | $63,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $736.24 | $3,190 | $38,285 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.83 | $2,127 | $25,523 |
Compare ELEC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Electrician (New Orleans) | $30.68 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Solar PV Installer (National Avg) | $24.85 |
Electricians in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $63,815 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.11% lower than the national median of $64,530 and 3.60% above the Louisiana state average of $61,597.
Electrician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.68/hr = $38,285/year (purchasing power: $41,346).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,808/year (purchasing power: $68,909).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Electricians in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for electricians in New Orleans grew 23.9% from $24.25/hr (2019) to $30.04/hr (2025). At a 2.12% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem electricians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Electrician in New Orleans
The earning potential for part-time electricians in New Orleans can vary significantly when compared to their full-time counterparts. An electrician working 24 hours a week at the median rate could make around $38,000 annually. However, many choose to work as per-diem electricians, especially on out-of-town projects, capitalizing on daily rates that can range from $80 to $150 on top of base hourly wages between $35 and $60. Specialty electricians, particularly those engaged in industrial control and solar technology, may earn $80 to $140 per hour on 1099 contracts. New Orleans shows a diverse hiring landscape: union electricians often receive 30-50% higher compensation through IBEW contracts compared to non-union positions. While some electricians may accept lower hourly rates for the security of health benefits and a pension, others prioritize the freedom of self-employment—an aspect worth considering when negotiating hourly wages in this vibrant city, especially as opportunities for renewable energy projects continue to grow.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for electricians in New Orleans. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov