Louisiana Salary Paycheck Calculator

Louisiana payroll taxes

• Louisiana state income tax: Progressive system. Employers withhold using your L-4 (Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate) and current state withholding tables.
• FICA (federal): Social Security and Medicare apply to most wages (see FICA details below).
• Federal income tax (FIT): Withheld using IRS rules based on your Form W-4 elections.
• State Unemployment Insurance (SUI): Employer-paid only; employees do not pay Louisiana UI from wages. Employers pay on a taxable wage base at a rate set by experience/new-employer schedules.
• Local income taxes: No percentage-of-wages local income taxes on employees in Louisiana (see table below).
• Pre-tax deductions: Traditional 401(k), HSA/FSA, and Section 125 premiums can reduce taxable wages where eligible.
• Post-tax deductions: Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, and other after-tax items reduce take-home after taxes.

How Your Louisiana Paycheck Works

1. Start with gross pay for the period (salary, or hourly rate × hours; include overtime if due).
2. Subtract pre-tax items (401(k), HSA/FSA, cafeteria plans) to determine taxable wages.
3. Compute FICA (Social Security to the annual wage base; Medicare on all wages; Additional Medicare for high earners).
4. Calculate federal withholding using IRS methods and your W-4 details.
5. Calculate Louisiana withholding using your L-4 and the state’s tables.
6. Employer separately pays Louisiana SUI—this does not reduce your net pay.
7. Subtract post-tax deductions (Roth 401(k), garnishments) to reach net pay.

Louisiana unemployment insurance (SUI) — 10-year snapshot

Employees do not pay Louisiana UI from wages. Employers contribute on a taxable wage base at experience or new-employer rates. Confirm figures on the annual rate notice.

Louisiana salary threshold

Louisiana follows federal FLSA white-collar rules. Exempt status requires meeting the current federal salary threshold and the applicable duties tests. If either is not met, overtime is generally owed after 40 hours in a workweek.

Median Household Income — Louisiana (10 years, current dollars)

Illustrative nominal values showing the trend; consult the latest ACS release for official statistics.

Louisiana Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

• Social Security: 6.2% employee + 6.2% employer, up to the federal wage base.
• Medicare: 1.45% employee + 1.45% employer on all wages.
• Additional Medicare: 0.9% employee-only on wages above $200,000 (employer remains 1.45%).

Number of cities that have local income taxes

Louisiana municipalities do not withhold percentage-based local income taxes from employee wages. Paychecks include federal withholding, Louisiana state income tax, FICA, and benefits or court-ordered deductions. Some cities and parishes levy business license or occupational taxes on employers, but these are not employee wage deductions and alter standard payroll calculations.

Local income tax table (employee wage tax)

Louisiana Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency

• Overtime: Louisiana relies on the FLSA—most non-exempt employees earn 1.5× after 40 hours/week (no statewide daily overtime rule).
• Minimum wage: Louisiana has no separate state minimum; the federal $7.25/hour applies to most covered employers.
• Pay frequency: Employers must set regular, established paydays and pay wages on time (biweekly or semimonthly are common). Final-pay deadlines apply at separation.
• Meals/rests: Follow federal standards; employer policies, CBAs, and minor-labor rules may add requirements.

Additional Louisiana forms

• L-4 — Employee Withholding Exemption Certificate (Louisiana state withholding elections).
• R-1306 / L-1 series — Employer withholding returns (periodic) and annual reconciliation/W-2 filing.
• UI Employer Registration & Rate Notice — Louisiana Workforce Commission account setup and rate assignment.
• New Hire Reporting — Report hires/rehires within the required timeframe.
• Required workplace posters — Wage payment, unemployment, safety, and federal postings.

FAQs — Louisiana Salary Paycheck Calculator

How do I use a Louisiana Salary Paycheck Calculator to estimate net pay?

Enter your gross pay and pay frequency, W-4 and L-4 elections, pre-tax items (401(k), HSA/FSA), and post-tax deductions. The calculator applies FICA, federal withholding, and Louisiana state withholding, then shows your per-paycheck and annual take-home. Employer UI is not deducted from wages.

Does any Louisiana city take a local income tax out of my paycheck?

No. Louisiana does not impose municipal wage-based income taxes on employees. Some localities charge employer business/occupational license taxes, which are not withheld from employee wages.

Why doesn’t my Louisiana pay stub show unemployment tax like in some states?

Louisiana UI is an employer-paid contribution. Employees do not pay UI from wages, so there’s no UI line item on pay stubs.

What salary makes me exempt from overtime in Louisiana?

Louisiana follows federal FLSA rules. Exempt status requires meeting the current federal salary threshold and the applicable duties tests. If either isn’t satisfied, overtime is due after 40 hours in a week.

How are bonuses and commissions taxed on a Louisiana paycheck?

They are subject to federal withholding (IRS supplemental methods), FICA, and Louisiana state withholding. There is no local wage tax. Employer UI remains an employer expense and does not reduce your net pay.

Which form changes my Louisiana state withholding?

Use the L-4 to set or update your Louisiana withholding elections—especially after life events or if you have multiple jobs.

How often must I be paid in Louisiana?

Employers must maintain regular, posted paydays and pay on time. Biweekly or semimonthly schedules are common; final-pay timing depends on the separation circumstances and company policy.

Why is my coworker’s net different when our salaries match?

Differences in W-4/L-4 elections, pre-tax benefits, Roth vs. traditional contributions, supplemental wage methods, and garnishments can change taxable wages and withholding, producing different take-home pay.

Does the calculator handle HSA/FSA and 401(k) contributions?

Yes. Enter those amounts; they reduce taxable wages for FIT/state and sometimes FICA, generally increasing take-home compared with taking the same deductions after tax.