Highest Paying Trades in New Orleans
2025 salary data · COL Index: 95
50
Trades Tracked
$54,388
Avg Median Salary
95
COL Index
61
Avg Trade Pay Score
Trade Salaries in New Orleans
| Trade | Category | Median | Range (10th-90th) | Grade | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Manager | Management | $93,203 | $56,922 – $142,100 | B | 4,518 |
| Elevator Mechanic | Specialty | $87,397 | $55,126 – $130,754 | A | 5,706 |
| Power Line Installer | Electrical | $82,075 | $50,754 – $123,242 | A | 5,160 |
| Electrical Power-Line Tech | Electrical | $74,744 | $48,034 – $108,153 | A | 5,907 |
| Underwater Welder | Welding | $73,640 | $46,480 – $105,682 | C | 3,768 |
| Pile Driver Operator | Heavy Equipment | $66,325 | $39,531 – $93,490 | C | 2,509 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | Automotive | $66,314 | $40,858 – $101,977 | C | 3,905 |
| Building Inspector | Management | $64,306 | $38,300 – $99,391 | C | 2,134 |
| Steamfitter | Plumbing | $62,591 | $37,509 – $91,811 | C | 2,947 |
| Fire Sprinkler Fitter | Plumbing | $61,309 | $39,458 – $92,696 | B | 4,243 |
| Pipefitter | Plumbing | $60,720 | $37,778 – $90,421 | B | 4,417 |
| Industrial Electrician | Electrical | $60,222 | $38,232 – $88,991 | B | 4,889 |
| Boilermaker | Industrial | $60,067 | $35,441 – $88,539 | C | 2,582 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | Industrial | $59,208 | $38,234 – $84,292 | B | 3,714 |
| Tool and Die Maker | Metalwork | $57,048 | $36,805 – $82,174 | D | 1,346 |
| Crane Operator | Heavy Equipment | $56,054 | $33,316 – $83,803 | C | 4,547 |
| Electrician | Electrical | $56,017 | $33,968 – $79,393 | B | 3,941 |
| Diesel Mechanic | Automotive | $55,843 | $35,321 – $84,019 | C | 4,288 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | Energy | $55,546 | $33,768 – $79,115 | A | 4,873 |
| Plumber | Plumbing | $54,966 | $35,395 – $81,960 | B | 5,000 |
| Carpenter | Construction | $54,530 | $33,586 – $79,095 | C | 2,205 |
| Telecommunications Tech | Electrical | $54,417 | $33,780 – $79,230 | C | 5,280 |
| HVAC Technician | HVAC | $54,404 | $35,074 – $83,865 | B | 5,394 |
| Millwright | Industrial | $54,326 | $35,047 – $83,405 | C | 3,379 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | Metalwork | $52,916 | $32,891 – $81,076 | C | 3,163 |
| Ironworker | Structural | $51,635 | $31,173 – $79,627 | C | 3,445 |
| Drywall Installer | Construction | $50,771 | $32,407 – $72,768 | D | 1,918 |
| Glazier | Construction | $48,970 | $31,402 – $73,646 | D | 3,672 |
| Mason (Bricklayer) | Construction | $48,957 | $29,943 – $69,589 | D | 1,698 |
| Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC | $48,850 | $30,600 – $70,608 | C | 4,258 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | Heavy Equipment | $48,744 | $31,247 – $74,406 | C | 3,599 |
| Machinist | Metalwork | $48,371 | $30,756 – $68,199 | D | 3,218 |
| Structural Welder | Welding | $47,775 | $28,687 – $71,524 | C | 3,535 |
| Welder | Welding | $47,590 | $29,971 – $71,616 | C | 4,368 |
| Insulation Worker | Construction | $47,182 | $29,179 – $73,143 | C | 3,780 |
| Plasterer | Construction | $46,241 | $27,254 – $65,034 | D | 2,097 |
| Locksmith | Specialty | $45,767 | $29,478 – $66,347 | D | 1,866 |
| Solar PV Installer | Electrical | $45,737 | $28,587 – $69,331 | B | 7,663 |
| Concrete Finisher | Construction | $45,716 | $29,443 – $70,879 | D | 2,167 |
| Floor Layer | Construction | $44,997 | $27,481 – $69,205 | D | 2,619 |
| Tile Setter | Construction | $44,961 | $28,659 – $63,403 | D | 2,521 |
| Environmental Engineering Tech | Specialty | $44,419 | $28,626 – $62,759 | C | 4,404 |
| Well Driller | Specialty | $44,417 | $26,444 – $62,827 | D | 2,460 |
| Maintenance Mechanic | Industrial | $44,210 | $28,267 – $65,753 | D | 4,634 |
| Roofer | Construction | $42,954 | $26,867 – $64,404 | D | 2,466 |
| CNC Machine Operator | Metalwork | $41,853 | $26,167 – $59,324 | D | 2,571 |
| Auto Mechanic | Automotive | $41,285 | $24,903 – $61,512 | D | 1,959 |
| Scaffold Builder | Construction | $40,590 | $25,320 – $61,033 | D | 3,065 |
| Painter (Construction) | Construction | $40,446 | $25,573 – $56,893 | F | 1,465 |
| Septic Tank Servicer | Plumbing | $38,788 | $24,640 – $56,161 | D | 1,933 |
About Trade Pay in New Orleans
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 95, which is 5% below the national average. This means trade salaries here need to be may be lower to maintain equivalent purchasing power.
The highest-paying trade in New Orleans is Construction Manager with a median salary of $93,203. Across all 50 trades tracked, the average median salary is $54,388. With below-average living costs, trade workers in New Orleans often enjoy strong purchasing power relative to coastal metro areas.
Compare New Orleans against other metros on the best cities for trade workers ranking, or see the highest paying trades nationally.