Human Resources Management Degree Programs in Louisiana (2026)
Quick answer: Human Resources Specialists in Louisiana earn a median $61,300 per year, below the national median of $75,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The state employs about 7,240 of them. Licensing runs through HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements.
Human Resources Management Pay and Employment in Louisiana at a Glance
| Metric | Louisiana | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $61,300 | $75,940 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $39,170 | $47,180 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $48,900 | $58,610 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $78,710 | $99,380 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $100,420 | $128,720 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 7,240 | 912,430 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.64 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 6.2% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Louisiana Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Louisiana median of $61,300 sits below the national median of $75,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.64 puts Louisiana below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Slidell | $64,990 | 320 |
| New Orleans | $64,780 | 1,900 |
| Lake Charles | $64,130 | 280 |
| Alexandria | $62,210 | 230 |
| Baton Rouge | $61,400 | 1,960 |
| Shreveport | $61,200 | 460 |
| Houma | $59,050 | 300 |
| Hammond | $58,280 | 140 |
| Lafayette | $56,070 | 540 |
| Monroe | $54,610 | 200 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. HR headcount tracks employer headcount. Metros with large corporate, health system or public sector employers support the deepest HR job markets.
Human Resources Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), human resources specialists wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | 1,960 | $61,400 | $65,690 | $38,640 | $94,920 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | 1,900 | $64,780 | $71,560 | $44,540 | $111,290 |
| Lafayette | 540 | $56,070 | $60,910 | $37,610 | $91,070 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 460 | $61,200 | $69,380 | $39,990 | $108,890 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 320 | $64,990 | $70,910 | $39,990 | $110,280 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 300 | $59,050 | $61,590 | $38,230 | $87,660 |
| Lake Charles | 280 | $64,130 | $65,340 | $43,170 | $97,160 |
| Alexandria | 230 | $62,210 | $67,740 | $37,800 | $104,790 |
| Monroe | 200 | $54,610 | $60,150 | $37,400 | $87,930 |
| Hammond | 140 | $58,280 | $60,970 | $38,030 | $82,110 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Louisiana Metro Areas With Published Data
Alexandria * Baton Rouge * Hammond * Houma * Lafayette * Lake Charles * Monroe * New Orleans * Shreveport * Slidell
Licensing and Credentials in Louisiana
Human resources is not licensed. The recognized professional credentials are the PHR and SPHR from HRCI and the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP from SHRM, all of which pair an examination with an experience requirement. On the academic side, SHRM aligns degree programs to its curriculum guidelines, which is the nearest thing this field has to programmatic accreditation.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
No schools in our database. If this is a mistake, contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do human resources specialists make in Louisiana?
The median annual wage for human resources specialists in Louisiana is $61,300, below the national median of $75,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $48,900 at the 25th percentile to $78,710 at the 75th.
How many human resources specialists work in Louisiana?
Louisiana holds about 7,240 human resources specialist jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 912,430, and BLS projects about 81,800 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a human resources specialist in Louisiana?
Human resources is not licensed. The recognized professional credentials are the PHR and SPHR from HRCI and the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP from SHRM, all of which pair an examination with an experience requirement. On the academic side, SHRM aligns degree programs to its curriculum guidelines, which is the nearest thing this field has to programmatic accreditation. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a human resources management bachelor's or master's online while working in Louisiana?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies HRCI or SHRM for current certification requirements.
What is the highest-paying area of Louisiana for human resources specialists?
Among Louisiana metro areas with published data, Slidell reports the highest median at $64,990 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Louisiana a good state for human resources specialists?
On pay, the state median of $61,300 sits below the national $75,940 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.64 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Human Resources Management programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Bookkeeper career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Human Resources Specialists (SOC 13-1071), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.