Cost to hire an employee in Louisiana
On top of a $50,000 salary, a Louisiana employer pays roughly $4,642 in payroll taxes and insurance before benefits, about 9.3% of wages.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: news.bloombergtax.com, oregon.gov.
What a Louisiana employer pays
| Cost | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45% | All wages |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | 0.6% net | First $7,000 |
| Louisiana unemployment (SUTA) | 1% new employer 0.09%–6.2% experienced | First $7,000 |
| Workers' compensation | ~$1.41 per $100 | Varies by job class |
Total cost at different salaries
| Salary | Employer taxes & insurance | % of salary | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,000 | $3,283 | 9.4% | $38,283 |
| $50,000 | $4,642 | 9.3% | $54,642 |
| $75,000 | $6,907 | 9.2% | $81,907 |
| $100,000 | $9,172 | 9.2% | $109,172 |
| $150,000 | $13,702 | 9.1% | $163,702 |
Benefits usually cost more than taxes. The BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation survey puts benefits at roughly 30% of total compensation in private industry. Add your health plan cost in the calculator to include it.
Louisiana vs. neighboring states
| State | SUTA wage base | New-employer rate | Cost on $50,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $7,000 | 1% | $4,642 |
| Arkansas | $7,000 | 2% | $4,272 |
| Mississippi | $14,000 | 1% | $4,477 |
| Texas | $9,000 | 2.7% | $4,500 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to hire an employee in Louisiana?
- On a $50,000 salary, employer payroll taxes and insurance add about $4,642 (9.3%), before benefits, for a total of $54,642.
- What is the Louisiana SUTA rate for new employers?
- New employers generally pay 1% on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages. Experienced employers pay between 0.09% and 6.2%.
- Do Louisiana employers pay FUTA?
- Yes. Employers pay 6.0% on the first $7,000 of wages, reduced to 0.6% with the state unemployment credit.