Electrician in Louisiana: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Louisiana employs 10,550 electricians, with a statewide median of $61,540 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Louisiana licensing picture, and where to train.
What Electricians Earn in Louisiana (May 2025)
- Louisiana median pay
- $61,540 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $38,750
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $72,840
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $81,810
- Employed in Louisiana
- 10,550
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,350 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for electricians in major Louisiana markets:
- Baton Rouge
- $65,330 (3,320 employed)
- Lake Charles
- $63,620 (590 employed)
- New Orleans
- $62,490 (2,240 employed)
- Shreveport
- $60,830 (800 employed)
- Lafayette
- $59,820 (730 employed)
- Slidell
- $56,670 (310 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Louisiana
Prices in Louisiana run about 12% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,540 median stretches to roughly $69,773 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Louisiana (2024–2034)
Louisiana is projected to grow electricians employment +10.3%, faster than the +9.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Louisiana License and Certification Requirements
Journeyman Electrician (local) / Electrical Contractor (state) — regulated by the Local municipalities/parishes (journeyman) + Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) for contractors.
- Build experience as an apprentice/electrician — Louisiana generally expects about 5 years before the journeyman exam.
- Journeyman and master licenses are issued by local municipalities or parishes — check your parish's requirements (statewide exam moved to PSI in 2025).
- To contract, register/qualify with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors.
Training in Louisiana
IBEW/IEC/ABC apprenticeships are the earn-while-you-learn route to the experience hours. Confirm your specific parish's journeyman rules early.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Louisiana include:
- Baton Rouge Community College — Certificate
- Bossier Parish Community College — Certificate
- Central Louisiana Technical Community College — Certificate
- Delgado Community College — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like tools, systems, problem solving, and earning while they train.
Think twice if: You need desk-only work or dislike tight spaces, heights, job sites, and physical risk.
Why it's resilient: Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
First Steps
Look for IBEW, IEC, ABC, or state apprenticeship openings near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electricians make in Louisiana?
The median wage for electricians in Louisiana is $61,540 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,750, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,810. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become an Electrician in Louisiana?
Journeyman Electrician (local) / Electrical Contractor (state), overseen by the Local municipalities/parishes (journeyman) + Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) for contractors. Build experience as an apprentice/electrician — Louisiana generally expects about 5 years before the journeyman exam.
Is being an Electrician a good career in Louisiana?
Electrical work is site-specific, licensed, safety-critical, and often requires hands-on diagnosis in messy real buildings.
Which Louisiana metros pay electricians the most?
Among Louisiana metro areas, Baton Rouge leads at $65,330, followed by Lake Charles ($63,620), New Orleans ($62,490). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become an Electrician in Louisiana?
Real Louisiana options include Baton Rouge Community College, Bossier Parish Community College, Central Louisiana Technical Community College. Most electricians start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Electrician a growing career in Louisiana?
Louisiana projects electricians employment to change +10.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,190 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Louisiana statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2111. Licensing summary compiled from the Local municipalities/parishes (journeyman) + Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) for contractors (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Louisiana wages · Louisiana licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.