What the numbers say
The median Software Developer in New Orleans earned $112,450 in 2024, about 10% above the Louisiana median of $102,290. Relative to the national median of $138,520, though, the metro sits roughly 19% below. New Orleans pays well by Louisiana standards and less well by national ones.
The spread between bottom and top earners is wide. A developer at the 10th percentile earned around $74,990; one at the 90th earned $168,940. That gap of nearly $94,000 reflects how much experience and specialization move the needle in a small market. The average wage of $133,450 also runs well above the median, which means a handful of higher-paid developers pull the typical figure up.
Scale is worth noting here. BLS counted roughly 740 Software Developers employed in the New Orleans metro in 2024. That is a small footprint by the standards of Texas or coastal tech hubs, and it shapes the data. A few high-earners or a single large employer can move the local numbers in ways that a market with 10,000 developers would absorb without a ripple.
For anyone benchmarking an offer or a hire in the area, the state comparison is the more useful anchor than the national one. New Orleans tracks above Louisiana's broader software developer baseline by a meaningful margin, even as both figures trail the US median by a considerable amount.
Salary distribution
Where New Orleans software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $94,470 and $128,930, with a median of $106,950.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
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Explore coursesFrequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in New Orleans, Louisiana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in the New Orleans metropolitan area is $106,950.
- Does New Orleans pay more than the Louisiana state average for Software Developers?
- The New Orleans metro median is +4.0% versus the Louisiana state median of $102,800.
- How does New Orleans compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The New Orleans metro median is -25.2% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in New Orleans?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $77,760 and the 90th-percentile at $161,260 for the New Orleans metro area.
- What education is required for Software Developers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the New Orleans CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.