Louisiana Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Trade Industry Insights / Louisiana Skilled Trade Salaries & Job Outlook
Quick Takeaways on Trade Pay in Louisiana
Louisiana’s trade demand is heavily influenced by energy production, industrial facilities, ports, and large construction cycles along the Gulf Coast. Specialized industrial, electrical, and pipe trades often see stronger earning potential tied to these sectors.
- Higher-paying paths on this page: Lineworker, CDL Truck Driver, AV Technician.
- Highest-paying trade in Louisiana (from this table): Lineworker ($76,281)
- Typical mid-range trade pay: Median across listed trades is about $51,334 per year.
- Pay range across these trades: About $32,143 separates the highest vs lowest listed trades in Louisiana.
- Most stable demand in Louisiana: process maintenance, pipe systems, and industrial repair work that supports continuous operations.
- Best way to increase earnings: specialize in environments others avoid—safety knowledge and system familiarity drive pay.
- Top paying trades on this page: Lineworker ($76,281) · CDL Truck Driver ($64,106) · AV Technician ($59,488)
Job Outlook for Skilled Trades in Louisiana
Demand is shaped most by energy complexes, ports, and industrial sites where shutdowns are costly and tightly scheduled, plus licensing rules, employer mix, and metro growth.
Louisiana pay can be volatile, with higher ceilings tied to industrial and energy-related work that doesn’t always translate into consistent schedules.
- Outlook: Volatile (energy-cycle dependent)
- What drives demand: energy complexes, ports, and industrial sites where shutdowns are costly and tightly scheduled.
- Where it’s hottest: major metros + fast-growing corridors (varies by trade).
- Biggest pay factors: experience, union coverage, licensing, overtime, and employer type.
Average Skilled Trade Pay in Louisiana
Below is a snapshot of typical pay for popular trades in Louisiana. Click a trade name to explore training paths, licensing steps, and career details.
Note: Some trades can rank high across many states due to national labor demand and standardized pay structures, but the exact pay levels still vary by state and metro area.
| Trade | Avg Hourly | Avg Weekly | Avg Monthly | Avg Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technician | $22.97 | $919 | $3,982 | $47,790 |
| AV Technician | $28.60 | $1,144 | $4,957 | $59,488 |
| Carpenter | $22.43 | $897 | $3,888 | $46,654 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $30.82 | $1,233 | $5,342 | $64,106 |
| CNC Machinist | $21.22 | $849 | $3,678 | $44,138 |
| Construction | $22.51 | $900 | $3,902 | $46,821 |
| Concrete Finisher | $24.67 | $987 | $4,278 | $51,334 |
| Diesel Technician | $25.67 | $1,027 | $4,449 | $53,394 |
| Electrician | $27.24 | $1,089 | $4,722 | $56,659 |
| Heavy Equipment | $22.28 | $853 | $3,698 | $44,371 |
| HVAC Technician | $24.92 | $995 | $4,313 | $51,750 |
| Industrial Mechanic | $24.61 | $1,001 | $4,336 | $52,030 |
| Ironworker | $23.44 | $934 | $4,046 | $48,558 |
| Lineworker | $36.67 | $1,467 | $6,357 | $76,281 |
| Marine Mechanic | $25.51 | $1,020 | $4,421 | $52,984 |
| Mason | $23.97 | $958 | $4,155 | $49,858 |
| Plumber | $29.24 | $1,121 | $4,855 | $58,260 |
| Roofer | $21.92 | $877 | $3,799 | $45,594 |
| Welder | $22.04 | $859 | $3,721 | $44,656 |
Wage figures are estimates and can vary by experience level, metro area, union status, and employer.
About this table: wage data sources and methodology.
Why Louisiana Is a Strong State for Trade Careers
Louisiana’s trade economy is built around industries that operate at scale and run year-round. Energy production, petrochemical facilities, port operations, shipbuilding, and large industrial construction projects create sustained demand for electricians, pipefitters, welders, millwrights, HVAC technicians, and heavy equipment operators across multiple regions of the state.
Unlike states where trade demand rises and falls with residential construction, much of Louisiana’s work is tied to permanent industrial facilities and critical infrastructure. Refineries, LNG terminals, chemical plants, and ports require continuous maintenance, periodic shutdowns and turnarounds, and long-term skilled labor to keep operations running safely and in compliance.
Where Trade Demand Is Concentrated
- Greater New Orleans: Port operations, ship repair, commercial construction, and ongoing electrical and mechanical maintenance.
- Baton Rouge corridor: Heavy industrial work tied to refineries, chemical plants, and energy infrastructure along the Mississippi River.
- Lake Charles: LNG terminals, petrochemical facilities, and large-scale industrial construction and maintenance projects.
- Shreveport–Bossier City: Manufacturing, utilities, and regional infrastructure supporting skilled trade employment.
Major Employers and Contractors in Louisiana
Many Louisiana tradespeople work on projects connected to large industrial operators, utilities, and port-related employers, including:
- Entergy Louisiana — Electrical generation, transmission, and utility infrastructure work statewide.
- ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery — One of the state’s largest industrial employers, supporting pipefitters, electricians, millwrights, and maintenance trades.
- Cheniere Energy — LNG facilities near Lake Charles that drive ongoing demand for skilled industrial trades during construction, maintenance, and expansion phases.
Ready to start a trade career in Louisiana?
Compare accredited trade schools and registered apprenticeships across Louisiana.
Louisiana Trade Schools & Apprenticeships