Technology New Orleans, LA Pop. 383,997

Software Engineer Salary in New Orleans, Louisiana

The median software engineer salary in New Orleans, LA is $116,748 per year, which is 6% below the national median and 8.0% above the Louisiana state average.

City Median
$116,748
vs State Avg
+$8,694
vs National
$-7,452
Cost of Living
98%

Software Engineer Pay in New Orleans: What to Expect (2026)

New Orleans offers a median software engineer salary of $116,748, which is $8,694 above the Louisiana state average of $108,054. Compared to the national median of $124,200, New Orleans pays below the national benchmark for this role.

New Orleans's cost of living is 98% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in New Orleans spans from $70,124 at the 10th percentile to $186,665 at the 90th percentile — a $116,541 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,320, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $173,900. With a population of 383,997, New Orleans is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in New Orleans by Experience

In New Orleans, an entry-level software engineer earns around $73,320, while experienced professionals earn up to $173,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,320
$-4,680 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$117,500
$-7,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$173,900
$-11,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in New Orleans, LA

Percentile New Orleans
10th Percentile $70,124
25th Percentile $92,308
Median (50th) $116,748
75th Percentile $148,708
90th Percentile $186,665

Software Engineer Salary in Other Louisiana Cities

Baton Rouge, LA
$109,296
Pop. 227,470
Lafayette, LA
$104,328
Pop. 121,374
Lake Charles, LA
$101,844
Pop. 80,000
Shreveport, LA
$100,602
Pop. 187,593

How to Become a Software Engineer in New Orleans

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. New Orleans and the surrounding Louisiana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in New Orleans may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in New Orleans

Browse open software engineer positions in New Orleans, LA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in New Orleans

How much does a Software Engineer make in New Orleans, LA? ▼
The median software engineer salary in New Orleans, Louisiana is $116,748 per year, which is 6% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $70,124 (10th percentile) to $186,665 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in New Orleans? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $116,748, a software engineer in New Orleans earns approximately $56 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does New Orleans compare to the Louisiana state average for software engineer pay? ▼
New Orleans's median software engineer salary of $116,748 is 8.0% above the Louisiana state average of $108,054. The local cost of living index is 98% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in New Orleans, LA? ▼
New Orleans has a cost of living index of 98% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $116,748 in New Orleans has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in New Orleans? ▼
Most software engineer positions in New Orleans require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.