How to Become a Bookkeeper in Louisiana (2026)
Louisiana employs about 18,980 bookkeepers earning a median $44,890 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in Louisiana.
Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Louisiana
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southwest Mississippi Community College | 64.8 | $4,080 in-state / $6,780 out-of-state | $27,408 | 56% | Yes* | 79 mi |
| 2 | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | 63.6 | $4,000 in-state / $5,000 out-of-state | $36,902 | 50% | Yes* | 94 mi |
| 3 | Hinds Community College | 53.6 | $4,250 in-state / $7,300 out-of-state | $40,042 | 43% | Yes* | 118 mi |
| 4 | Pearl River Community College | 52.2 | $3,700 in-state / $6,100 out-of-state | $43,603 | 37% | Yes* | 131 mi |
| 5 | SOWELA Technical Community College | 49.8 | $4,305 | $60,488 | 43% | Yes* | 99 mi |
| 6 | Fletcher Technical Community College | 45.6 | $4,219 | $53,749 | 30% | Yes* | 102 mi |
| 7 | Baton Rouge Community College | 43.7 | $4,321 | $45,313 | 31% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 8 | Lamar State College-Port Arthur | 42.9 | $1,770 in-state / $8,070 out-of-state | $46,272 | 45% | — | 150 mi |
| 9 | Delgado Community College | 41.7 | $4,279 | $48,141 | 24% | Yes* | 120 mi |
| 10 | Louisiana State University-Eunice | 31.6 | $4,730 in-state / $10,094 out-of-state | $54,639 | 19% | Yes* | 54 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Louisiana employs approximately 18,980 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,890 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in Louisiana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (Louisiana): $44,890 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in Louisiana
How to become a Bookkeeper in Louisiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Louisiana.
How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in Louisiana varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do bookkeepers earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Louisiana is $44,890 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,760 and experienced professionals can earn $65,220 or more 1.
How to Become a Bookkeeper in Louisiana
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Louisiana training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in Louisiana that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Louisiana before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks 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 | 4,060 | $46,740 | $48,450 | $31,200 | $69,720 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | 3,840 | $46,980 | $49,150 | $31,050 | $67,020 |
| Lafayette | 2,130 | $38,910 | $41,350 | $27,440 | $60,160 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | 1,900 | $45,400 | $49,290 | $28,600 | $75,770 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | 1,180 | $44,520 | $48,040 | $29,120 | $70,590 |
| Monroe | 1,020 | $41,970 | $42,750 | $26,920 | $60,330 |
| Lake Charles | 830 | $44,550 | $46,270 | $29,990 | $63,500 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | 770 | $43,770 | $45,320 | $28,850 | $61,580 |
| Alexandria | 590 | $43,270 | $45,090 | $30,000 | $61,960 |
| Hammond | 380 | $43,680 | $44,660 | $28,530 | $61,870 |
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 .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 18,980 bookkeepers 1. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Louisiana.
How much do bookkeepers earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Louisiana is $44,890, which is $4,320 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |