Salary & Cost of Living in Houma, LA
Houma, LA: $44,336 median salary, cost of living index 92.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$44,336
$21/hr
Cost of Living
92.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
4.3%
rate
Houma, LA Overview
Population
32,649
Median Salary
$44,336
Average Salary
$49,656
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$210,000
Median Rent
$856/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
4.45%
Houma is located in Louisiana with a population of 32,649. The median household salary is $44,336 per year ($21/hour), which is $15,048 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
Houma Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Houma, LA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $44,336 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $27,488 | $13.22/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $44,336 | $21.32/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $62,957 | $30.27/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $78,918 | $37.95/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Houma Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Houma, LA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$35,778
$2,981.52/month · $1,376.08/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.3%
Gross Pay
$44,336
Federal Tax
-$3,282
State Tax
-$1,884
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,392
Net Pay
$35,778
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $3,694.67 | $44,336.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$273.48 | -$3,281.82 |
| Louisiana State Tax (4.25%) | -$157.02 | -$1,884.28 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$229.07 | -$2,748.83 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$53.57 | -$642.87 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,981.52 | $35,778.20 |
Salary Comparison: Houma vs Other Cities
See how Houma's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houma, LA | $44,336 | 92.5 | $47,931 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Deltona, FL | $44,348 | 95.2 | $46,584 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $44,315 | 112.8 | $39,286 |
| Ocoee, FL | $44,364 | 94.5 | $46,946 |
| Brockton, MA | $44,365 | 108.5 | $40,889 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Houma
Houma's cost of living index is 92.5 (national average = 100). Living in Houma is 7.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$210,000
Median Monthly Rent
$856
Annual Rent Cost
$10,272
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $35,778 annual take-home pay in Houma has the purchasing power of approximately $38,679 in an average-cost US area. Your $44,336 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Houma
Houma's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $44,336.
Salary Tips for Houma Workers
- Research top industries. Houma's top industries include Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $44,336 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Houma salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Houma-LA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Houma indexed at 92.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Houma's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $44,336 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Louisiana state income tax (4.25%) (no local income tax), sales tax (4.45%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Houma: 4.3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Louisiana.
- Housing context: median home price $210,000, median rent $856/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Houma, LA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Houma unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Houma QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Louisiana — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Houma's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Louisiana labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Houma, LA?
The median salary in Houma, LA is $44,336 per year, or $21 per hour. The average salary is $49,656. This is $15,048 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Houma, LA?
Houma's cost of living index is 92.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 7.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $210,000 and the median monthly rent is $856.
What are the best industries in Houma?
The top industries in Houma, LA include Energy, Petrochemical, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $44,336.
How does Houma's salary compare to other cities?
Houma's median salary of $44,336 is 25.3% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 92.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $47,931.
What is the minimum wage in Houma, LA?
The minimum wage in Houma, LA is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.